F REE F ROM S CHOOL

By Rahul Alvares 22nd August 2003

1 Its not every day that a 16 year old writes a book. In fact, girls and boys of that age are supposed to spend their time studying what other people write. It is presumed that at that age they do not themselves have anything signicant or interesting to say. And the education system guarantees just that. The best rewards go to those who can parrot set answers to set questions in examination halls. Those who try to use their imagination or reply differently are often punished with low grades. Rahul Alvares did not set out to write a book. Under the encouragement of his parents, he consciously set out to try his hand at learning things outside the school framework and you might say as a result, Free From School actually came looking for him! After his SSC, unlike his other classmates, he opted out of schooling to follow his instincts: fond of reptiles, he chased them up at the Pune Snake Park and at the Crocodile Bank at Mamallapuram. In the process, he also picked up trails of spiders, earthworms and turtles. He caught snakes in the company of Irula tribals. He got bitten by hot-tempered reptiles. He came out of it all grinning and wiser. Free From School is his story of a year out of school, when the learning graph of his young life went up leaps and bounds. He wrote it to encourage other boys and girls his age to move out of the sterile school and college environment offered by Indias antiquarian educational system, if they wish to experience another side to life and learning. He lost nothing but gained a lot. So did his parents. When you read his story, so will you.

This book has been originally published by the Other India Press, Mapusa, Goa. Copies of the print version are available from [email protected] or The Other India Press, Above Mapusa Clinic, Mapusa 403507 Goa. Tel 0091.832.2263306 Copyright 2003 Rahul Alvares Permission is granted to copy or distribute this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. The author however requests anyone downloading this book to make a donation (recommendation $2 or Rs 50) to a group working for the cause of wildlife, particularly in Goa. If you would to know of Rahul Alvares preferences on which group could be supported, contact him at [email protected]

Contents
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A Fish Shop in Mapusa Learning a Bit of Farming Plant Festivals Learning about Mushrooms A Trip to Kerala Snakes Alive! A Vacation within a Vacation Earthworms Spiders 3 8 10 14 18 21 26 28 34 39 46 51 54 56

10 Crocodile Dundee 11 Learning to Teach 12 You Have Sight, I Have Vision 13 Surveying a Forest 14 Chief Guest At Belgaum

Chapter 1

A Fish Shop in Mapusa

Y OU
MUST TRY TO UNDERSTAND that when I n-

erous enough to even buy back from me the baby sh

ished school I was as raw as raw could be.

I had I reared just to encourage me. Later I developed suf-

never travelled anywhere on my own, never purchased cient condence to experiment with and breed more a train ticket, since like most kids my age I had only difcult types of sh, like Siamese Fighting Fish and travelled with my parents or relatives and they made Blue Guramies-all under the expert tutelage of Ashok. all the decisions. I had no experience of how to handle So it was to Ashoks shop that I went every morning money (my knowledge being limited to spending the at 9.00 a.m., speeding on my bicycle to be on time. I 50 paise or one rupee I would receive as pocket money would stay there until lunch time, a regular hands on, now and then). doing whatever I was asked to do. Ashoks shop is not very large. It is a two-roomed wide my parents wisely thought that I should begin by shop on the ground oor of the Gomes Catao complex. learning to manage on my own within Goa itself. It was It has a display section in front and a store room at also the rainy season and travelling around the country the back. The showroom has about twenty sh tanks would be much more difcult they explained. on display with a variety of sh that Ashok purchases So I started out by helping at an aquarium shop in mainly from Mumbai. Each tank stores a particular Mapusa, the town nearest my village. The proprietor species of sh. Ashoks shop is located away from the of the shop is Ashok DCruz, a college friend of my fa- main market area so he does not have the advantage of thers. I must tell you about Ashok. He is no ordinary casual customers dropping by. However Ashok has his businessman: keeping sh is a passion with him. He regular customers and there are always at least twenty is far more interested in chatting with his customers to thirty customers daily. During my rst few days at his shop, my work was never seen him forcing any of his customers to buy only to watch the tanks, clean those which were dirty, from his stock of aquarium sh. remove the dead sh and do some other small jobs. I In fact, it was Ashok who introduced me to the amaz- also fed the sh and treated the wounded and diseased ing world of aquarium sh way back when I was just sh. Sometimes, I also attended to customers. Gradabout sh than making money selling them. I have So while I had set my sights on travelling far and

nine and studying in Class V. Under his guidance then, ually, I began to accompany Ashok on his rounds to I experimented with breeding guppies, platties and various places. mollies, fairly simple types of sh to breed. However, it A gentleman in Moira wanted to set up an aquarium was a matter of great excitement for me at that time to at his home. He had a tank. He also had denite ideas be successful in my experiments and Ashok was gen- about how he wanted it to nally look and Ashok was 3

CHAPTER 1. A FISH SHOP IN MAPUSA

called to see how it could all be done. The man sent able to get theoretical knowledge and practical experihis car for us. At his house we discussed the location ence at the same time gave me a lot of condence with of the tank, lighting arrangements, the water lters, the regard to aquarium sh. kind and quantity of sh he would like to have, and One of the important highlights of my experience at maintenance. After we were fully satised that we had Ashoks was learning to make sh tanks. Ashok told everything right and had noted down his requirements, me that since we were going through a slack period, we returned to Mapusa. Later he came for the material he would teach me how to make sh tanks. I had to start from basics which meant purchasing glass for six Another time I accompanied Ashok to a clients ofce tanks, having the glass pieces cut to specications and to put a pair of Dwarf Guramies in the sh tank and to then having the pieces delivered at the shop without a x a picture as a backdrop for the tank. On such visits scratch. I watched care fully what Ashok did and soon enough I had accompanied Ashok on several occasions earAshok started sending me on my own to visit some of lier to the glass shop and watched as he ordered glass his clients who had small or simple problems. explaining his requirements, or having a piece re-cut I went to clients to x aquarium equipment such as because it was done wrongly. In fact, I had been sent ofair pumps and lters, to x toys in the tanks, to check ten to the glass shop for small purchases so I was fairly sh for diseases or if there was a sudden crisis such as familiar with the owner and the procedures. Ashok had sh dying in numbers, or if a client wished to add more even taught me how to calculate the price of glass. Still sh to his collection. I was sent to collect overdue pay- it was a new experience for me when Ashok handed me ments or simply to enquire the aquariums were doing. some money and gave me general directions on what Sometimes I went on my own to visit some of the places to do and I was on my own. I managed to purchase where we had set up tanks and enjoyed watching the the glass and also to get it cut to size. So far, so good. sh swimming happily in their new homes. Now came the difcult part of transporting the glass One day my employer decided to send me as a spy pieces to the shop. I wondered whether I should get a to nd out the prices of sh and sh food at a compet- rickshaw for the purpose but was a little hesitant since itive sh shop. I tried to behave like a casual customer I hadnt checked what it would cost for the trip, short and walked coolly into the competitors shop and grad- though it would be. While I was trying to make up my ually began to ask the prices of sh and sh food. Af- mind by testing the package for its weight, the shopter I had found out what was needed I bought a pair keeper assured me that I would be able to handcarry of cheap Black Mollies from his shop just to show him the glass to Ashoks shop, which is what I nally did. that I was a genuine customer. From the information I started out. In the beginning, it was no problem. I got, we found Ashoks to be comparatively cheaper However, the package grew heavier and heavier as I than the competitor. trudged up the road to Ashoks shop with rickshaws, During this period I improved my knowledge about taxis and motorcycles honking away on all sides. Even aquarium sh tremendously. This was mainly due to before I reached my destination I doubted the wisdom two things. Firstly, I had spent a lot of time observing of my actions for I was tired and my arms ached but the sh at Ashoks shop and getting practical experi- I dared not put down the glass simply because it was ence from the places we visited. Secondly, I had been glass. When I nally reached the shop I heaved a sigh reading the sh books that my father bought for me as a of relief that the glass was intact. Ashok was horried gift for getting a distinction in my SSC exam. The books at my decision and understandably very angry too for were quite expensive but well worth the cost. Being as he explained to me should I have had an accident on which we kept ready for him.

CHAPTER 1. A FISH SHOP IN MAPUSA

the way the consequences would have been disastrous problem at all. It was a large hotel with lovely lawns and he was after all responsible for me! I truly learnt an and a swimming pool. I walked into the hotel proudly, important lesson that day. with my head held high, and tried to act as if I were a Learning to make an aquarium tank is great fun. One very experienced sh doctor. I went and met the manhas to rst plan the size of the tank. For this one must ager. He told me which sh had died. I searched for rst decide on the length of the tank. After that, the symptoms of disease but found none. I then realised height and the breadth are to be proportionately cal- that the problem was very simple and one that is very culated. The sides of the glass are held together with common: a case of overfeeding. Fish require food in silicone, which is a glue, and which feels like rubber proportion to their size but often people put more food when it hardens. Silicone does not dissolve in water. than necessary into the tank. The extra food makes the The tricky part is being able to apply the silicone only water cloudy and polluted and this causes the sh to to the edges of the glass and not letting your sticky n- die. gers touch any other portions of the glass. Otherwise, I cleaned the tanks, replaced the pump, checked the the glass will look dirty, for the silicone marks will stay lters and showed the hotel staff how to feed the sh. like a ngerprint on the glass forever. After the tank I even managed to do some sales work by selling them is resealed on the inside with silicone (to give double some sh medicines which they could keep as standby protection), it is left for a day to dry. The next day it is and made a bill for them on the bill book that Ashok tested by lling with water and if all is well the tank is had given me. They seemed satised with my work ready for sale and can be delivered to the customer. and made me a cup of tea, which I didnt drink because After I was taught how to do the rst tank, I started I dont drink tea. After I had nished I couldnt wait to helping with the rest. I recall how once by mistake I tell Ashok about my experience. stuck the glass upside down. "Theres something shy During this period, I took the opportunity once to about the looks of this tank," said Ashok. When he real- visit sh shops in Panjim which I had heard about but ized what my mistake was, he very nearly put me into had not yet seen. The occasion came when my 3-gear the tank! cycle broke down and I needed to go to Panjim to get My rst opportunity at testing my skills at nding spares. I tried to persuade my mother to get them for out the reasons for "sh dying in an aquarium" (the me from Panjim since she went there often. She remost common complaint from customers) came when fused, saying that I should learn to do things on my the manager of Hotel Osborne in Calangute asked own. Thats when I thought of making a whole-day Ashok to come and examine their aquarium on the ho- trip to Panjim to buy the spares, visit sh shops and tel premises. The sh were dying, he said. The owner also make a few purchases for Ashok. of the hotel was a very good customer of Ashoks and The next day, I accompanied my mum to Panjim so Ashok was keen to solve the problem. However as where she showed me a few essential places and then he could not go himself that day and did not wish to left me on my own. I was a bit nervous but was deterdelay matters, he decided to send me instead. He gave mined to manage somehow. I rst went to the Kamat me the managers visiting card, directions to the hotel, restaurant to eat as I was hungry. I was amazed at how some sh medicines and a pump to install in place of much it cost me to ll my stomach outside home! After the old one which was defective and I was on my own. that, I searched for a shop from where I could purchase I was proud and happy that Ashok felt condent to en- silicone (Ashoks errand). After a lot of asking around I trust me with such an important job. found the place. Then I looked for the cycle shop, found I left in the evening for the hotel. I found it with no it quickly enough but discovered that the item I wanted

CHAPTER 1. A FISH SHOP IN MAPUSA

was out of stock and would be available only the next I was on my own and free to make decisions or experiweek. I was then free to visit the two sh shops I had in ment with ideas I thought worthwhile. I discovered that I have a great passion for reading mind: "Bislin" and "Something Fishy". Bislin was well books. I used to go every morning to the library, on stocked and had many types of exotic sh but I found my way to Ashoks shop, and pick up something to it very expensive. I chatted with the people who ran read during my free time. My favourite books were the the shop (it is a family business). They also kept birds Hardy Boys and I nished practically the entire series for sale. After watching the sh for sometime I decided while I was at Ashoks. I also enjoyed comics like Tintin to go to Something Fishy which was just around the and Phantom. corner. At Something Fishy, I was disappointed at rst Evenings, after I had nished with Ashoks shop, I sight to see very few sh. The shop assistant told me would listen to the FM radio music programmes. Like that as they were expecting sh the following weekend any other teenager, I like fast and loud music. Fortualmost all their tanks were empty. But what I saw re- nately, my aunt Allison visiting us from Canada gave maining in the display tank amazed me. I saw man- me a walkman which enabled me to play my music eating piranhas with my own eyes for the rst time in without disturbing the others. I thought about starting my life! However, the piranhas were quite timid and to learn the guitar but my parents advised against startshy. Apparently, it is only when they are kept hun- ing guitar lessons immediately as I had plans to travel gry that they become ferocious meat-eaters. Something out of Goa in the coming months. Letter writing is not Fishy also had exotic sh called Black Ghost which sold one of my favourite things. However, I was forced to at Rs.3000 a pair! reply to the people who sent me letters and cash prizes, Apart from learning about sh at Ashoks shop I congratulating me on my examination results. I was gained a lot of other valuable experience. overjoyed to receive prompt replies from several of my

I had never done banking before. But one day Ashok relatives and friends commending me on my choice of casually asked me if I would go to his bank to withdraw a years sabbatical. I also realised that you only get letsome money. I didnt feel like telling him that I had no ters when you write to people. However, I still dont idea of how to go about doing this. Instead I asked for enjoy letter-writing. directions to the bank and set out. Somehow I gured On Sundays, I used to do a few odd jobs to earn some my way around and got the job done. I was sent many pocket money. Like washing the car for which I used to times after that to the bank to deposit and withdraw get ve rupees from my dad. I was also the main errand money. posal I found it was not the easiest thing for me to effectively manage my time. Several times I would be speeding away on my bicycle to Ashoks shop because I had woken up late that morning. Or I had to push my lunch hour till later because I had not completed all my tasks for the day. It was an experience learning to plan boy at home and I did all kinds of jobs like paying the All in all, working at Ashoks was a good beginning. Although I had all the time in the world at my dis- electricity bills, buying the rations and so on.

Field Work Notes:

Now Julie Has a Fish Tank

my day properly and I would feel quite pleased with Juliet and Peter DSouza are college friends of my parmyself when I got things right on my own. ents. They live at Calangute. Peter is a criminal lawyer I also gained a lot of valuable insights into my own and Juliet is a school teacher. Our families occasionally hobbies and interests since for the rst time in my life go on outings together. On one of these picnics during

CHAPTER 1. A FISH SHOP IN MAPUSA

my SSC year Juliet discovering my interest in aquarium assignment as Julie said that she would buy the sh sh promptly tried to get me to assist her in setting up from a sh shop in Candolim. However, as she doubted an aquarium in their home. whether live plants were sold in Candolim, she asked Actually they did have a sh tank earlier but the bot- me to send her the plants through Peter. She also told tom glass had cracked and Juliet had given it to Ashok me to prepare a bill for her which I was to hand over to for repairs. And there it remained, in Ashoks shop, Peter. All this I did within the next two days. A week later, I had to visit Peter and Julies place to with nobody attending to it. Juliet had reminded me on several occasions about the tank but there was little deliver a note to Peter from my dad. I was keen to see I could do other than pass on her reminders to Ashok. the sh she had bought and how they were doing in When I started working with Ashok I quickly took the the new home I had made for them. As a present I decided to take ve pairs of guppies from my garden opportunity of keeping my promise to her. The rst problem was to nd the tank. I began tank. Imagine my shock when I found that the tank searching for it in the storeroom of Ashoks shop. I was just as I had left it, with no sh at all to inhabit found it right at the bottom of all the other big tanks. I the lovely quarters. I was glad I had brought along the was relieved to see it still in one piece. Ashok and I then guppies and these became the rst lot of sh to inhabit removed the broken bottom glass. We took the mea- the tank. I also xed the light and the regulators and surements and bought new glass from the glass shop. set the plants properly. Juliets little daughters crowded round me as I stood After xing the tank, I went to Peters ofce and told him to pick it up and take it home whenever he could. back to admire the now complete aquarium: sh swimPeter came by and took it home the next evening. A ming happily with newly installed plants and air lters few days later I cycled down to their house to set it up. bubbling away in a corner. Juliet soon joined us and Once there I realized that Juliet did not have any mate- thanked me warmly and to my utter surprise slipped rial for placing in the tank except a little gravel which a 50 rupee note into my pocket. I protested that she was not enough to cover even the base of the tank. I should not pay me for this as I was having great fun explained to her all the essential items needed and she but she insisted that I take the money and this became gave me a freehand to purchase material and decora- my rst earning. In similar fashion I set up sh tanks for a few other tions for the tank. On my next visit, I took a few kilos of gravel, a pump, plastic plants, sh medicine, the family friends. Besides having a lot of fun and gainundergravel lter, some pipeline, a few regulators, T- ing valuable experience, I also earned pocket money! joints and a shnet. I also took four types of aquarium Avdoot and Rekha Munj in Mapusa have a lovely big tank which I helped set up for their daughter; Alvito toys and two shells for her to choose from. I started off with washing the gravel, then xed the and Celine Santiago from Parra also had an empty sh under-gravel lter. I next poured gravel over the lter, tank which they wanted to put back in use and I organand placed the decorations of shells and toys on top. ised the sh for them too. There was also the large sh tank in the ofce of Then the tap and lters were joined to the air pump. All this while I was watched intently by Angelann and the Principal of my school (St. Anthonys at Monte Miriam, Juliets two young daughters, who kept offer- Guirim), which I had maintained during my school ing opinions or help here and there. After about two days. I continued to keep watch over it through my hours, everything was ready. Only the sh and aquatic younger brother Milind, who, like me, is also a sh fan. plants remained to be put in the aquarium. The task of selecting the sh for the tank was not part of my

Chapter 2

Learning a Bit of Farming

One of my plans for the rainy season was to go to that I had so readily agreed. Next morning I was woRUSTIC Farm which is in Thanem, a small village near ken up early and we set out for the elds which are Valpoi in the remote north-eastern district of Sattari, so quite close to our homes. that I could gain some experience in farming. RUSTIC Holding the plough may appear a simple task but beFarm holds a special attraction for me because I was lieve me it is not so and calls for quite a lot of skill and born when my parents lived on this farm and we stayed stamina. The trick is to keep the plough in the centre

of my baby days on the farm and many stories that my the handle as the plough should neither be too deep nor parents tell us of those times. We still visit the place at too shallow in the soil. Also one has to constantly keep least once a year and also maintain contact with several ones eye on the bullocks to direct them to turn around of the villagers who worked then on the farm. Yesu, at the end of the eld and to lift the plough when it our domestic help for the past 16 years comes from that reaches a bund. Lastly (and this is most important) the

there till I was three years old. Although I have no real and avoid cutting the hoofs of the animals at the same recollection of that period, we have many photographs time. One needs to put the right amount of pressure on

area. In 1985 RUSTIC Farm was sold to the present bullocks must recognise you or else they wont take orowners Shyam and Ujwala Achrekar. I had intended ders from you. to stay with them for a month and learn about farming The bullocks knew Guru very well but I was a rst-hand. Unfortunately due to some personal difstranger so Guru made me keep shouting cries of culties they could not have me visit them. It is one of "heeree heeree" which is how they get the animals to the few regrets I had during my one-year sabbatical. As move-so that they would at least begin to recognise my things worked out, however, I was able to learn a few voice. Although I went ploughing with Guru for sevbasics about farming in my own village at Parra. eral days in a row, he never let me plough on my own My neighbours, the Kandolkars, are a peasant fam- because getting the right balance was still very difcult ily and during the rains they take to farming their for me and if any of the bullocks got hurt due to my in-

own elds. They also do ploughing work for others. experience he would have to give the animal at least 15 Guru, the eldest son, has a ne pair of bullocks for the days rest which would cost him heavily in earnings. purpose. It so happened that Guru was doing some After the ploughing is done the ground has to be levmasonry work at our house and I was chatting with elled for seeding. This is also done by the bullocks him about my sabbatical when he casually asked me who drag a wooden piece shaped like a broad fork whether I would like to come ploughing with him. I across the eld. This I was allowed to do on my own jumped at the offer even as he seemed a bit surprised and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was like having a nice 8

CHAPTER 2. LEARNING A BIT OF FARMING

ride, standing on the wooden leveller while the bullocks went up and down the eld. I also tried my hand at spraying seeds and later fertilizer, on the elds. Sometimes I did a bit of weeding, to while away the time in-between ploughing. On some days when we were ploughing it used to rain heavily and I enjoyed working in the rain with all the other farmers. After ploughing we would be treated to hot tea and bread or pao baji by the owner of the eld. I recall how surprised the owners of the elds we had ploughed would be on seeing me sitting with the other workers-dirty with mud like them-because naturally, they recognised me, since I am from the same village. One lady, in fact, thought I was playing truant. She told me she was going to inform my mother where I was that Sunday morning. She thought that I ought to have been in church attending Mass instead. The eld work was a good experience and one which I cherish. I helped Guru plough about half a dozen elds and even now when the rainy season approaches I remember that experience with warmth and pleasure.

Chapter 3

Plant Festivals
The rainy season brings out the average Goans pas- two most attractive and unusual cacti were ones on exsion ate love for plants and some of this fervour and en- hibit: while one had a thin green base and a bright red thusiasm nds its way into plant exhibitions and plant lumpy top the other was like a cotton puff. Besides the plants in the hall some classrooms alongtwo of them-at Saligao and at Siolim-two villages close side were also occupied with plants and other items to where I live. At the rst I was a mere spectator but for sale. There were food plants like coriander and played a more active role in the second. coconut seedlings, ornamental plants such as money plants, creepers, and indoor decorative plants. There were also garden implements including spraying tools, cutters, owerpots, seed packets and organic manures. At eleven oclock there was an announcement that festivals. I would like to recount my experiences with

Saligao
Sunday, the 1st of July, was an unusually bright day for

the normally dull, wet, cloudy rainy season. I was look- there would be a talk given by Mr Francis Borges, the ing forward to going to Saligao to see an exhibition of topic being Organic Farming. Francis Borges is a colplants and was glad for the dry weather as I pedalled lege lecturer but is better known for his experience and the 20 minutes it took to reach Lourdes Convent, the knowledge of plants. He practises organic farming well known school in the village where the exhibition and has a nursery called Apurbai. He used to write a was being held. I reached around 10.30 in the morn- weekly column in a Goan paper the "Weekender". My ing. The exhibition had already been inaugurated and dad had already told me about him so I was eager to the place was crowded with people all trying to enter hear what he had to say. the main hall where the exhibits were kept. I too did His talk dealt with the consequences of using chemlikewise. icals (pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers) which he said The main exhibition hall was quite big and the plants was a recent happening in the world. He stressed the were exhibited in pots in the centre of the hall. Many of need to return to organic farming which he said was the plants were for sale. They had been brought there the only sensible way of farming. He also spoke about by different people and most of the pots had the names the role of earthworms as friends of the farmer. Many questions followed. Most of these dealt with of their owners on them. The cacti were grouped together on a table on one side of the hall and the prize problems people faced while gardening at home. Mr winning exhibits of the ower arrangement competi- Borges in his reply offered practical solutions which tion on another. I noticed that the rst prize had been he himself had tried out successfully. For example, to given to a ower arrangement done inside a painted the query, "Why does a papaya plant die after owscooter tyre. I thought this a really unusual idea. The ering?" he suggested building a bund round the base 10

CHAPTER 3. PLANT FESTIVALS

of the plant because water collecting there rots the pa- huge Dobermans people owned. paya base stem. In this connection he also spoke of

11

When the tempo could carry no more we would re-

a medicine which he and his colleagues had invented turn to SFX school where the exhibition was to be held to drastically reduce the diseases which attack papaya. in order to unload the pots and start out again. Each He markets this as "Papaya Cure". By around noon the round was an experience of new people, new homes, talk ended and I left for home. new gardens. On one round we visited the famous pop singer Remos house. His mother was taking part in the

Siolim

exhibition. It took us all day to complete the list and we even-

The plant exhibition at Saligao had given me an idea tually made three trips round the village. We then of what to expect at the next plant festival I attended, arranged the pots on the benches in the school hall. which was at Siolim. Here I took an active part Miguel Braganza (an agricultural ofcer of the Governthanks to the invitation I received from Alexyz, the ment who at that time was posted to the Indian Counwell known Goan cartoonist, who was in charge of the cil of Agricultural Research in Old Goa) and Francis Siolim Plant Festival called "Green Heritage". Green Borges (the same person who gave the talk on organic Heritage was started by Alexyz and his friends a few farming at the Saligao Plant Exhibition) were also there years ago and it has proved to be an enormous success along with several other village boys and girls all helpwith people eagerly awaiting the event each year. ing in various ways to set up the show which was to I woke up early on the morning of August 11th, 1995 begin the next morning. In fact by the time we nished and pedalled away to Siolim, which is a picturesque it was already one a.m. of the 13th. We would have village across the hill from Parra. I found myself sit- only a few hours of sleep before we would all be on ting at Alexyzs doorstep much earlier than expected. duty again at 9 a.m. to complete the last minute jobs Alexyz and his wife Tecla arrived home in time for before the festival got started. lunch. After lunch, I hopped on the back of Alexyzs The Green Heritage Plant Festival lasted three days. Kinetic Honda and we set off to visit the homes of all The Director of the Agricultural Department, Mr P.K. those participating in the exhibition, informing them to Desai, inaugurated it at 11 a.m (instead of a ribbon to keep their exhibits ready for us to collect the next day. be cut between the doors of the exhibition, there was I woke up on the 12th morning to the sound of a creeper). He also released a book titled, Green Aid Alexyzs gibberish much like scatmans scat. "Come on III-Total Gardening that the Green Heritage had pubman, lets get going", he yelled. He was a college friend lished. The book was wrapped up in a large money of my parents and he is one of the funniest people I plant leaf instead of wrapping paper. I thought this an know. Just being in his company is one big laugh! unusual and apt idea. After the inauguration and the Our task that morning was to collect the plant ex- release of the book, the ofcial made his speech which hibits from the homes of all those on our list. The tempo was followed by a funny speech made by Alexyz. arrived at 9.30 a.m. We covered the base of the tempo The Green Heritage programme had several aspects: with shrubs to act as cushions for the potted plants. We (i) the exhibition, (ii) lectures and talks on different subhad a long list of homes to visit. Each time we picked jects and (iii) competitions of different kinds-all related up an item for the exhibition we tagged and numbered to the green world. it so we would know the correct house to return the pot The main exhibition hall was very big and it was to later. We had to be careful at some houses otherwise lled with all kinds of plants, arranged in such a manwe might have ended with torn pants ripped up by the ner that people could move around easily and view the

CHAPTER 3. PLANT FESTIVALS

12

plants without too much difculty. Altogether there son who grew cacti in his at. His talk was extremely must have been about two hundred pots. There were interesting and full of practical information and handy vegetable plants such as chillies and brinjals. There hints on how to grow cacti. Although I have not tried were owering plants, cacti, creepers, ferns, bonsai of my hand at growing cacti, yet I took down detailed Banyan trees, peepal trees, etc. There were also lime notes which I shared with my mother, who as I cortrees, orange trees and chickoo trees all growing in rectly thought was very happy to get the information pots. vegetable-carving crafts and ower-making crafts of students from different schools-were kept. as it helped her in her little cacti rock garden. And it On the stage in the hall, competition exhibits- certainly was a very educative talk for me. All through the three days I was assigned simple jobs like watching over the plants in the main hall, watering

Outside the hall there were two corridors. In one the plants, carrying pots and furniture around, hancorridor the government nursery was stationed, where dling the sales of the Green Heritage booklets, and so neem, mango, coconut, chickoo, tamarind, cashew and on. And with Alexyz around each task was great fun. On the last day, there was the prize distribution ceresome other kinds of trees were being sold. Along the other corridor a variety of other items were kept on mony. I was proud and happy to receive a special cersale: a small table held copies of the book, Total Gar- ticate for having assisted in the Green Heritage Festidening as well as the previous two volumes released at val. As the fair came to an end the organisers all felt the earlier exhibitions by the Green Heritage; another that it was yet another successful event. I was happy to table held beautiful coconut handicrafts for sale. There have been a part of it. But the fun was not yet over for was an elephant head, a table lamp, a skull, all made we all had a barbecue dinner that evening that lasted out of different parts of a coconut. Next to this, The well into the early hours of the morning. We slept only Other India Bookstore had set up a stall with a large va- briey for there remained the nal task of returning the riety of environment titles. Further down was the Gar- pot exhibits to their respective owners. This we comden Glory stall selling various types of garden imple- menced early next morning. I had enjoyed my work at the Green Heritage and ments such as lawn movers, cutters, sprayers and other accessories. Apurbhai had a variety of organic manures my stay at Alexyzs house. I was indeed sad when it all like leaf mould, Karanji and bone meal besides orna- ended. I rested the next day at Alexyzs house and on mental plants, palms and creepers. There were pickles, the 18th morning, left for home. squashes and medicine for papaya plants also on sale. At the far end of the corridor was the canteen. Here, Field Work Notes: whenever we were thirsty or hungry, we went and had Growing Cacti At Home a cold drink or some snacks. I didnt have to worry about my bill, because it was taken care of by the Green Cacti are plants suited to the desert and we must keep Heritage group. this factor in mind always when growing ornamental Next to the canteen, there was a small table, a black- cacti in our gardens, for it helps in the survival of the board, some chalk and some benches. This was where plant. For example, a cactus should never be watered the programme of lectures and talks was held. Alto- over its body as it will start to rot. This is because it gether there were four talks given during the Green is covered with a waxy coating which prevents water Heritage Programme: on vegetable carving, jams and loss through evaporation. When one waters the cactus squashes, wine-making, and cacti. over its body, the waxy coating is washed away and the I decided to attend the talk given on cacti by a per- plant begins to rot. The amount of water that you must

CHAPTER 3. PLANT FESTIVALS

13

supply to the cactus is very much dependent upon the then peel it off. All the thorns will get stuck to the celseason and upon the climate of the place. During the lotape and will be removed. summer season one should water cacti every four days whereas in the rainy season once every fteen days is quite enough. Cacti need a minimum of two and a half hours of sunlight per day. However they should not be kept all day in the sun because they may wrinkle in too much of bright sunlight. Unlike other plants cacti produce carbon dioxide during the day and oxygen during the night. Hence, they are ideal plants to be kept in bedrooms to freshen up the air at night. If the cactus plant is to thrive and prosper, the size of the pot in which it is grown has to be carefully monitored. The pot should always be a little smaller than the plant itself because it is only when the plant has to struggle to survive that it will thrive. If the pot is too spacious the struggle element is removed and the chances are that the cactus will die. Cacti are like human beings. When they suffer they will grow. Similarly if a cactus shows no signs of growth, stop the watering. It should be resumed only when the plant resumes growth. The substrata of a cactus pot is ideally composed of pieces of broken bricks at the bottom, charcoal above it, then coarse sand and pebbles above it. Leaf mould is the best manure. Grafting of cacti is very simple. A very small piece of the cactus plant should be stuck with cellotape to the plant that needs grafting. The smaller the piece the easier it is to graft. To reproduce cacti, one has to simply cut off a piece of the cactus, allow it to dry for a few days and then just place it over the cacti substrate. It will automatically develop roots. To differentiate between cacti and other plants that look like cacti is very easy. All cacti have ne hair at the base of each thorn. The so-called thorns are in fact highly modied leaves which prevent loss of water through transpiration. If one ever gets pricked by cacti thorns, one should take cellotape, place it over the area where the thorns have penetrated the skin and

Chapter 4

Learning about Mushrooms

Attending the Green Heritage plant festival in Siolim room. I enquired about the course with the man in had one more advantage for me. It brought me into charge and was directed to the Farmers Training Cencontact with Mr Miguel Braganza, an agricultural of- tre. cer of the Goa Government. It was through him that Mr Miguel Braganza and Mr Oscar-the two persons I learnt of a two-day course on mushrooms to be con- conducting the course-were already there and so were ducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research some of the participants. We were rst made to reg(ICAR) at Ela Farm, Old Goa in the last week of August. ister our names for the course and immediately after This programme also marked the beginning of my and to my total surprise we were informed that each of experience in getting around on my own. For, although us would receive a stipend of Rs.500 for attending the the course was conducted in Goa itself I had never been course. This appears to be a sort of bonus or incentive to Ela Farm nor did I know anyone at the programme. which is provided to the participants and is meant to Mr Braganza had informed me that participants would be offered free accommodation on the campus. cover expenses for transport, food, etc. I noticed that all the other participants (there were

However, it was not compulsory to stay there. I as- thirty-three other students) were older than me. Most sumed that most people would avail of the accommo- of them were farmers, so all the people who gave talks dation facilities offered since late evening transport is either spoke part English and part Konkani, or if the not very good in Goa. At any rate I enjoy camping out lecturers spoke only English then Oscar would transand so I asked my parents if I could spend the night late into Konkani. on the campus. They agreed. My assumption however The course which basically comprised lectures and proved wrong as I turned out to be the only residential demonstrations started with a talk by the tall, thin, participant! long-haired Nandakumar Kamat. His rst question Anyway, on the morning of 24th August, after taking was: "What do you want to cultivate mushrooms for? directions from my dad, I left for the ICAR at Old Goa Kitchen gardening, small scale production or large

farm. At the gate I had to ll in a gate pass. Down His talk included slides of different varieties of mushthe right lane was the ICAR ofce. On either side of rooms, poisonous and non poisonous. the road were coconut, guava and chickoo plantations. The talk was lengthy but very interesting. It ended Further down was a small ofce which looked more well past lunch time and most of the participants inlike a lab with various specimens of preserved mush- cluding myself were happy to go straight to a meal at 14

which is about 22 kms from my home. I arrived there scale export?" Depending on your objectives you can without any difculty. The ICAR is located within Ela decide on the variety and the quantity, he told us.

CHAPTER 4. LEARNING ABOUT MUSHROOMS

15

the FTC canteen where a delicious sh curry thali could company. The canteen served good and cheap meals. I be purchased for just Rs.6. had already eaten there in the afternoon with the othThe second session began at three in the afternoon. ers. For the night the cook prepared some sh curry rice There were two talks in this session, the rst by a sci- for me. The next morning I had a breakfast of bread and entist from the ICAR who spoke on pests and diseases vegetables for three rupees only. That night, not having that attack mushrooms. Among the problem areas he much to do, the watchman and I decided to walk up the mentioned insects, fungi, bacteria and improper man- hill at the back of the campus, at the top of which was agement. Unfortunately most of the remedies he suggested a temple. Most of the second day was conducted by Oscar. Os-

were limited to spraying of insecticides and pesticides cars presentation was more of a practical exercise. He such as lindane, malathion dichlorose, copper sulphate gave very practical information on how to grow mushor citronella oil. To be fair, he also laid stress on proper rooms and interspersed his talk with slides and live management and hygiene as an effective way to reduce demonstrations. He showed us the inoculation and culdiseases. Since none of us had ever grown mushrooms ture room for tissue culture as well as the ultraviolet before there were not many questions or doubts raised tube where the mother spawn is prepared. Rushing up and down the lab and the lecture hall we were shown at the end of his lecture. Then there was a talk by a woman who explained to how straw is boiled, how the mushroom bags are lled, us the nutritional value of mushrooms. For half an hour and so on. We were allowed to actively participate and she spoke on the low fat and sugar content of mush- ll in the bags ourselves. All the participants enjoyed rooms and how mushrooms prevent pain in joints of Oscars session and wished it could have been longer. bones, tooth decay and bleeding gums. It made me feel that I should make mushrooms my staple diet! None of the participants had any experience with growing mushrooms for commercial purposes so Oscar

The programme for the day ended at 6 p.m. Thats had invited two people who grew mushrooms for the when I was surprised to discover that everyone was go- local market as well as for export purposes to address ing home and I was the only residential participant. I us. They had been growing mushrooms for the past decided to stay the night anyway since the organisers one year, selling them fresh or dried according to the told me that adequate arrangements had been made for demand and they gave us very practical information anyone wishing to do so. based on their personal experience. They said that they I spent the evening and early in the morning the next lled two hundred bags of straw everyday. They told day looking around the campus. I noticed that the us of the problems they faced with pests (mainly rats) ICAR had a small nursery, a ower garden, a small sh and diseases and also the difculties they initially faced pond, pens for small animals such as rabbits and chick- when selling mushrooms. The programme nally conens, cattle sheds and vast paddy elds. There was also cluded with a speech by the Director of the Farmers an orchard with a variety of fruit trees such as mango, Training Centre who told us about the general activichickoo, coconut palms etc. ties of the FTC and the ICAR. Some of the students took spawn-lled bottles home. In the midst of all this greenery were the residential buildings with the canteen in between. I occupied one I didnt, because I knew I wouldnt be in a position to of the rooms on the rst oor of the four-storey build- get into action immediately as my travel plans for geting. It was a small room, with two beds, a few lockers, ting out of Goa for the next few months were already a table and a mirror. Since there was no one else staying underway. the night, the watchman was asked to stay with me for So although I didnt really get into the act of

CHAPTER 4. LEARNING ABOUT MUSHROOMS

16

mushrooms-growing, I learnt much and also made jowar, wheat or gram. The seed should be of uniform many friends. Field Work Notes: How to Grow Mushrooms size, good quality, free from pests and diseases and dry. The grain should be washed, all hollow grains should

There are many varieties of edible mushrooms, of be removed and the remaining boiled for one hour so which the oyster and button mushrooms are the most that it is half cooked. While boiling some formalin popular with both the mushroom cultivators and the or savlon should be added to disinfect the grain. The grain is then spread on a disinfected muslin cloth and general public. Mushrooms can be eaten by anyone including chil- mixed with calcium carbonate. It is then lled into botdren since they are easily digested and absorbed by the tles which are tightly corked using nonabsorbent cotbody into the bloodstream within two to three hours. ton. The bottles are then put into a pressure cooker. They contain iron, vitamins, calcium and protein. They The inoculation or the culture room for tissue culture are especially good for pregnant mothers, and diabetic was also shown to us. This room should be about 2.25 and blood pressure patients. Mushrooms have medici- m in height and 1.25 m in length. Two tubes i.e. an nal properties and are known to reduce heart, liver and ultra-violet tube and a normal tube light are used. A blood diseases including cholesterol and stomach can- spirit lamp is also used. One can produce up to six generations from one bottle of mother spawn with the help cer. Mushrooms can be protably grown using little in- of tissue culture. After six generations the strength of vestment. However one has to master the techniques the spawn decreases and the yield of the mushrooms and follow all the procedures and requirements very will be less. Substratum: Paddy straw is the main substratum carefully. One does not need land to become a mushroom cultivator for one can grow mushrooms even in used for growing mushrooms-it contains cellulose and lignin, both of which are necessary for the growth of ones own house. Climate: Mushrooms require a temperature of 20-32o mushrooms. However many other kinds of substrata Celsius and about 35-90% humidity. They also require are also used, for example, saw dust, sacks, banana adequate ventilation, diffused light and semi-darkness. leaves, dry mango leaves, coconut leaves, sugarcane, Too much light makes mushrooms dark in colour. wild grass, rice husk, etc. The paddy straw must be carefully selected. It If the room temperature increases above 32oC, it should be decreased by hanging wet sacks around the should be brittle, yellow or golden brown in colour and place. However the sacks should be rst sterilized us- not older than 6 months. The straw should be dried in ing savlon, formalin or dettol to avoid fungi or bacteria the sun for several days, stored if necessary in an airentering the room. If the temperature decreases below tight container and used within two months. The ra20oC, then a 200W bulb (for a small room) should be lit tio of paddy straw to mushroom spawn should be 1 kg "prepared" straw to 4% spawn. to generate heat. Procedure: First the straw must be prepared. The Spawn: Mushrooms are grown from spawn. The colour of good spawn is milky white with a sweet smell straw should be cut to 3-5 cm pieces. It should then or no smell. The spawn should be compact, white on be lled in cloth bags and soaked in water (1 kg straw all sides and cottony. If it is yellow, it means that the to 10 litres water) for 10 hours. The straw should be spawn is old. Any other coloured patches seen on the weighted down in the water so that no part of it respawn signify contaminant fungi in the spawn. Spawn mains above the level of water. should be maximum 18 to 20 days old. The next stage is pasteurization. Water must be To prepare mother spawn, one needs good quality boiled to a temperature of 80 to 85oC. When bubbles

CHAPTER 4. LEARNING ABOUT MUSHROOMS

17

appear, the soaked straw, surrounded by the cloth bags, Two days later fully grown mushrooms will appear. should be weighted down and fully immersed in wa- The mushrooms should not be pulled out because the ter. The bubbles will disappear when the straw is im- substrata will also be pulled out with it. Instead they mersed and then reappear. Thirty minutes after the should be cut or twisted and broken off from the base. reappearance of bubbles the straw should be removed. If the substrata is dry the bag should be given a quick It should be drained of water and cooled at room tem- dip in water. Otherwise continue spraying with water. perature, then spread out on a clean surface and dried The second crop of mushrooms will reappear one week for two hours. later. The process can be continued upto 4 times. Then The moisture content of the straw should not exceed one has to start afresh. This is because after 4 crops the 60%. To judge the moisture content one should hold substrata begin to attract disease and get contaminated. some straw between ones ngers and squeeze tightly. content is correct. Pests and Diseases: Mushrooms are easily attacked If only one drop of water comes out, then the moisture by pests and diseases and therefore require utmost care and good management. Of the two well known types

Polythene or polypropylene bags are now required of mushrooms, the button mushroom is more prone to to ll the straw into. The bags should be approximately disease whereas the oyster mushroom is hardier. 35 x 50 cm and should weigh 150 gms each. Before usInsects which attack mushrooms are the Scearid y, ing them, they should be washed with savlon or det- the Phosid y, Spring Tails (small insects like grasshoptol or formalin. Four strings should be tied together at pers) and mites. To prevent insects from attacking one end which should be placed at the bottom of the mushrooms it is best to keep the mushroom bags at bag. The four free ends must be held outside the bag. least one foot above the ground. One can burn sulphur The bag can now be lled. First a 5 cm layer of straw in the room before seeding the mushrooms. Citronella should be put in and the straw pressed lightly against oil mixed with water can also be used for spraying on the bottom. Mushroom spawn should then be spread the bags. It is absolutely essential to maintain the highover it. Then another 10 cm layer of straw, over which est standards of hygiene to prevent attack by insects. Bacteria and nematodes are other causes for worry. the spawn should be spread and so on till one reaches the top of the bag. Finally it must be covered with a Bacteria occur when there is too much humidity and nal 5 cm layer of straw, and the four pieces of string this shows in a wet rot or a brown blotch. To avoid and the bag must be tied together. The bags can either this problem it is essential to constantly monitor the be kept on the ground or hung in the room. Hanging humidity level and maintain it as required. To prevent them enables one to get at the mushrooms from the bot- the occurrence of nematodes, the substrata should be constantly changed-it should never be older than six tom of the bag easily. The following day, 30 to 35 holes should be made months to one year. The straw must be carefully sein each bag with a sterile needle. The bags should be lected and should be disinfected thoroughly before use. kept in darkness, with very little ventilation allowed to 100 gms of potassium permanganate, or 20 ml of formathem, for 15 days. The bags should then be moved to lin should be sprayed on the bags if the disease should another room. Here they should get four hours of dif- appear. fused light and cross ventilation. After one and a half days the substrate should be sprayed with water three times a day with a shower pointing upwards so that the water falls on the bags like rain. On the following day small mushrooms, the size of pinheads will appear.

Chapter 5

A Trip to Kerala
It was now the end of August and also the end of the relatives in Mangalore city. We stayed at my grand uncles house which is very to visit the many places on my agenda. I had got fairly close to the bus-stand. It is a two storey building in the comfortable now with being on my own within Goa heart of Mangalore and my grand aunt Monica Mauxi heavy rains. I was eager to begin travelling out of Goa

of Goa.

myself a meal and learning to handle small quantities up. My grand uncle J.S. Alvares who was a very well of money. I therefore impatiently awaited my trip out known Konkani writer passed away a few years ago. I Another reason for my wanting to travel was because time.

(where I could at least communicate in the same lan- lives there with her three sons, Reggie, Patrick and guage with anyone I met) asking for directions, buying Lambert and their families in a sort of joint family set-

was meeting my aunt and cousins almost for the rst After the introductions were over and we had had

I was fed up of my neighbours and friends constantly

asking me what I was doing after my SSC and why I tea and snacks Dad showed me around the city. Since I was not in college. Somehow they couldnt get used to knew that I would be returning to Goa alone at the end the idea that I was enjoying myself learning the things of the seminar in Kottayam I took care to be very obserI wanted to on my own, so I would be constantly bad- vant about landmarks and other details so that I would gered by queries. I thought that if I went away I would not get lost on my return trip. I carefully noted the locertainly escape all these queries. cations of the railway station, Hampankatta, which is It so happened that my father was attending a sem- the centre of Mangalore and the old bus stand and the inar on organic farming in Kottayam and as he would route to Aunt Monicas home. We returned at dark to also be visiting some organic farms he thought it a good a splendid meal and went to bed early for we had to idea if I came along. The trip would take us to Kerala. Dad and I left Goa on 30th August, 1995. The wake up at 3 a.m. for our onward journey. Our train left Mangalore on the dot at 4.15 a.m. We

bus departed from Panaji bus stand at six a.m. and travelled all day through green countryside, passing reached Mangalore the same day at four in the evening. through Kannur, Calicut, Thrissur and Ernakulam to

En route we passed through Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, reach our destination Kottayam at 3.45 p.m. We were Honavar, Kundapur and Udupi. Mangalore happens booked at Hotel Aishwarya. I had a refreshing bath to be my ancestral home. (My dad, though born and and then as usual we went off to explore the city but brought up in Mumbai and now living since marriage had to return soon because it started to rain. in Goa, is originally from Mangalore.) Although we do The seminar was at Hotel Green Park and we set

not have an ancestral home any more we have lots of out for the venue early in the morning. We had al18

CHAPTER 5. A TRIP TO KERALA

19

ready been registered as participants and each of us But I liked the company of the people there very much was given a cloth bag, notebook and pen to use dur- for all of them were very knowledgeable and they were ing the seminar. There were many stalls selling a large the active type too. Some of them-like Bernard from number of items from organic tea and pickles, to books Auroville, Korah Mathen and his daughter Nidhi from and manuals. were already calling out to everyone to settle down for Ahmedabad and Omkar-I would meet again during We used to go for long walks in the forest, morning We looked around very briey for the organisers my sabbatical year. the inaugural. All day there were talks, most of them and evening. On the rst day itself we saw Nilgiri Lanby scientists. The sessions continued till evening with a gurs and a variety of small birds, frogs and trees. break for a vegetarian lunch in between. Of all the talks, In the evening the organisers showed us two movies the one that caught my attention was the talk given by on the pollution of the river Bhavani. After that we Dr Sultan Ismail on earthworms. I have refrained from watched a very popular and lovely movie called Angiving details of Dr Ismails talk here because I have a imals are Beautiful People. full chapter on my association with his work later in On our early morning walk the following day (the this book. second at Wynad) we saw a herd of spotted deer and a The next morning the same sort of programme con- barking deer. We also saw many footprints of animals, tinued. However there was a farmers session which especially of deer; and traces of elephant footprints too. was chaired by my father. Many farmers spoke about The experience excited me very much and after that I their experience in organic farming. I found it quite in- would eagerly set out with whoever was interested in teresting. Sometime after lunch my father and I, along taking a walk. On the third day, a Mr Shivanand gave a with Guru Rishi Prabhakar (the founder of the Siddha very interesting talk on the Western Ghats. He showed Samadhi Yoga programme) and Kartikeyan (who was us many slides on the Western Ghats i.e. insectivorous researching some chapters for a source book on organic plants, mountain goats, rivers that are formed by confarming) left to visit the farm of an organic farmer, a Mr. densation of water vapour, plants that ower every ten K.T. Thomas. He showed us his shrimp pond, rubber years, etc. All that I had studied in geography and sciplantations, cows, shing ponds, orchids, giant bam- ence in school now came alive for me. boo lter ponds, etc. His farm was really huge, dark and damp-like a forest in the night! That evening we watched two movies, one called The Whistling Hunters (about wild dogs) and another

Next morning we took a train to Calicut. We passed called The Lord of the Jungle (about elephants). Both through Ernakulam and Trishur. At Shoranur we were very good. The next morning we went walking changed trains and from the railway station we took again and saw only birds. We walked about 12 kms a bus to Sultans Battery where we spent the night at a that day. Later that morning the concluding session of hotel called the Resort. As usual, we spent enjoyable the programme was held. hours walking around the town. In the evening the forest department organised a tour The next programme was at Wynad. Here, another for us through the jungle. We walked quite a distance, meeting of persons interested in organic farming was saw the watchtower, then deer and a wild boar, but we taking place. We stayed at the Wynad Wildlife Division had to turn back soon because we saw tiger footprints. Guest House. At night we saw another two movies, one on the NarThe group here was not very large and they generally mada called A Valley Rises and the second called The had small intense discussions. I was not much inter- Silent Valley. ested in the sessions and wandered about as I pleased. After the meeting ended my dad was scheduled to

CHAPTER 5. A TRIP TO KERALA

20

go to Chennai for some work but I was to return to Goa familiar territory. I looked around at the familiar street on my own. My dad came along with me by bus to dogs and hawker stands and then hailed a motorcycle Calicut. At the railway station, my father bought me a taxi to take me home, which was a short distance of 3 ticket to Mangalore and left me at the station at about 2 kms. p.m. to await the train which was due at around 4 p.m. Back home I proudly walked up to my mum who It was the rst time I was travelling alone and I was was smiling a welcome, my brothers punching me, my quite nervous. Although it would be two hours before dog licking me-all so far away from the world of elethe train arrived I dared not fall asleep. I had with me a phants and tiger footprints. small battery operated video game and I occupied myself with this while waiting for the train to arrive. When it did there was a general commotion as people started rushing into the compartments. I enquired with one or two persons whether there were any special seats but nobody was really willing to pay attention so I just found myself a nice spot and settled down. The train started soon thereafter. I stayed fully alert during the entire journey, keeping a watch on my things (I carried a haversack and a sleeping bag, both new) and having heard about pickpockets and other thieves I wanted to be doubly careful. I did not get down at any of the railway stations as I was not sure how long the train would stop. So I contented myself with eating the fruit that Dad had bought for me at the Calicut station. The train arrived in Mangalore at 9 p.m. From the station I took a rickshaw to my grand aunts house for which I paid thirty rupees. This was quite a lot of money, but since it was night-time and since I was not perfectly condent of the route I did not bother to argue with the rickshaw-wallah. My aunt and family were pleased to see me and urged me to stay on for a few days. But I knew that my mother would be anxiously awaiting my return, and not wanting to be irresponsible, I decided to return as planned the next day itself. In the morning my cousin Reggie took me on his scooter to the bus station where we saw a bus about to depart for Goa. I jumped in and managed to get the last empty seat. The bus reached Panaji at 5 p.m. From there I took the local bus to Mapusa. Only when the bus reached the Mapusa bus terminus was I nally on

Chapter 6

Snakes Alive!
It took several letters and phone calls from my dad at the Park and proceeded to Mumbai. For the rst few to establish contact with Mr Neelimkumar Khaire, Di- days therefore I journeyed back and forth from Sujits rector of the Snake Park in Pune till nally the green house. Sujits home is at Ganeshkhind while the snake park the arrangements were not absolutely "pucca" my dad is at Katraj, a good 20 kms away. I remember how I got decided to come along with me to Pune, which is what lost on the rst day. My Dad had shown me the bus we did on the 3rd of October, soon after he returned stand in the morning and given me the bus number. from Chennai. In the evening, one of the staff dropped me off at the We left Goa by bus and arrived at Pune early the next bus stand where I waited and waited for the bus, which morning. Two of my parents very good friends, Sujit never arrived. I asked the people around but their anand Vidya Patwardhan, live in Pune. Our entire fam- swers were either "it will come" or "the frequency of ily, dad, mum, my two brothers and I, had holidayed that bus may be low". at their place a year earlier. That was when I had my Soon it started raining and since that bus-stand had rst glimpse of the Pune Snake Park and the idea of my no shelter in sight I had to stand in the rain and get wet. one year sabbatical took root. (Later, I was surprised While I tried as much as possible to take shelter under to learn from Bany, their daughter, who I became good the note book I carried, I was surprised to see a number friends with, that her elder sister Lara and her friend of children, who didnt seem to mind the rain, walking had taken a sabbatical several years ago on completing coolly past me as if there were no rain at all! By seven school and they had toured the countryside looking at in the evening, I was soaked to the skin. My feet were alternative methods of education.) So it was to the Pat- numb and it was getting dark. My rst day at the snake wardhan residence at Ganeshkhind Road that we rst park and what an experience! went and after a wash and a brief rest we set off for the Park. Anyway, I crossed the road and walked to a telephone booth. While I was phoning Sujit the electricity signal was given and I was all set to visit the place. As

The Director Mr Khaire was not in, but the Assistant went off. Sujit kept trying to explain to me how to come Director Mr Rajan Shirke was aware of my visit and as- home by another route. I took out my half wet note sured my father that once Mr Khaire arrived he would book and scribbled "Deccan Gymkhana" and "Simbla make arrangements for my food and stay. Until then I Ofce". I managed to get a bus to Deccan Gymkhana could spend all day at the Park but would have to go (there are several buses which take you there) and from back to Sujits house for the night. My father had no Simbla ofce I took a rickshaw and after going round option but to leave it that way for Mr Khaire was ex- in circles for sometime, I managed to nd Sujits house. pected to return only after three days. Dad then left me How I wished I had my trusty bicycle instead of having 21

CHAPTER 6. SNAKES ALIVE!

to depend on buses and rickshaws! notes and watched the workers. I tried to make friends

22 daily diary every evening after dinner, and sometimes My work at the park was to help the workers with

During the rst two days at the park I only scribbled read a bit. with the workers and as a result I was allowed to han- their jobs for that was the only way for me to learn dle one trinket snake. On the third day Mr Khaire ar- about snakes. So everyday I would clean the starback rived and immediately made arrangements for me to tortoise pit, the turkey pit, the chicken pits and later stay at the Park in spite of the Park not having accom- on the ratsnake pit, the chequered keel back pit and modation facilities. Several students came there now the monitor lizard pit. I also assisted with feeding the and then to work for short stretches of time but they snakes, which is usually done once a week. Most of the all had their residences in Pune and went home in the snakes are fed small rats-the white mice come from the evenings. affectionately called "Anna" ("big brother" in Marathi) laboratory-and frogs while the python gets a chicken I was also taught the proper way of holding and hanMr. Khaire is very popular among the workers and is every week. by one and all. He always wears a glove and long dling snakes. On the third day, I was bitten by a wolf sleeved shirt as he lost his left hand to a Russells viper snake. Now you must understand that this is a nonbite several years ago. Still, his love for the reptile poisonous snake and it was deliberately allowed to bite world and his enthusiasm for snakes has not dimin- me for my experience and to enable me to get over ished one bit. the irrational fear of snake bites that all of us have acThe Snake Park is quite large and has several snake quired as a result of grandmothers tales being dinned pits housing various types of reptiles. In the centre is into us from childhood. In my case even though I the administrative building which is a one storey cot- liked snakes, still, Anna explained, there will be a subtage having on the ground oor a small ofce which conscious residual fear! This bite was not particularly doubles up as reception area, a room which holds the painful and treatment was like any other wound one display exhibits like the king cobra, python etc., a store might receive. room and a toilet. On the rst oor is a large room with During my stay at the snake park I was bitten on sevtwo beds. It is here that I began to stay, with the watch- eral occasions by a variety of non-poisonous (but hotman as company for the night. Anna installed a small tempered) snakes and when I left after 3 weeks I had T.V. in the room and also had a phone extension made at least about 15-20 bites on my arms. Some of the to my room. He told me that I was welcome to come bites were quite painful and one was so bad that my over to his place anytime, to eat or even to stay. How- wrist had swelled up and I couldnt wear my watch for ever, I preferred being at the park. quite sometime. However when you remember that the In addition to Anna and Shirke there were about 8 to snake gets damaged much more than you-it loses quite 10 staff at the park. Some of those I got to know very a few of its teeth in the bite-then you dont feel too bad. well included Mahesh, Milind, Bhushan and Baba, the At any rate there was no question of using anti-venom watchman. Many of the boys were studying at night as the snakes were all non-poisonous. And I learnt to school and working here during the day. On Sundays think of the bites as injuries and wounds rather than and holidays there would sometimes be extra students the much feared snake-bite. to lend a hand. All of them lived in Pune and would Besides snakes, the Park also has a number of other go home for the night. However now and again some animals. Some had been rescued, others found injured of them would stay the night with me and we would and brought to the Park for rest and recuperation. At watch T.V. or they would tell me tales. I also wrote my the time of my stay at the Park it housed a wild boar, a

CHAPTER 6. SNAKES ALIVE!

23

civet-cat, a leopard, a Shikra bird, a jackal, three mon- out of your grasp, for frogs are quite wet and slippery. gooses and several owls and eagles with broken wings. After two to three hours we would return with 25 to 30 The eagles and owls were in cages with the top end frogs in our sack. kept open. I used to have my food at a small shack where some Once they were able to y again they could y out poor people cooked meals mainly for the Snake Park if they wished. There were also many types of exotic staff. One of the popular items was something called fowls, guinea pigs, white mice, rabbits, monkeys and shample which was made of vegetables and had lots a pair of turkeys. And of course there were Ganges of oil oating over it. This was served with bread and soft shell turtles, starback tortoises and melanac turtles. it was deep red in colour and very spicy. After a couple All these animals had to be fed daily and their cages of days of eating this delicious food, I had a very bad cleaned regularly. stomach and I had to go to the toilet seven times that The snake park has a system through which people day. That was the end of shample. I decided to stick to in Pune city can call up the park if they sight a snake. dal and chappaties, and cheap creamrolls. Someone from the park will then go to the site with the The bathroom of the snake park looked very dirty caller, after taking directions from him/her, and try to and I usually avoided having a bath. I would wet my get the snake. This ensures that people do not unnec- long hair and pretend that I had had a bath. When the essarily kill snakes. It was on two such occasions that Snake Park staff found out about this they decided to I went with the boys on "calls" and returned without a give me a bath. One day they caught me and stripped snake. You see when the distance that the rescue team me of all my clothes, then they dragged me to the bathhas to travel is long, the snake may not necessarily re- room and, using detergent and a little bit of Harpic, main in the same spot till it gets there. The snake park has a lot of visitors daily and people they scrubbed me with the toilet brush. Somehow these chaps also came to know that I was

are always looking for someone knowledgeable to an- afraid of the dark and all night sounds. So they kept swer questions. I used to feel quite proud to do this telling me ghost stories which despite my fears I liked and would gladly answer all the queries like, "What is to hear. Finally, on the last night I even met this "real" the name of the snake?" "What does it eat?" "Which is ghost. It happened this way. Three of us, together with the male and the female?" and so on. At other times the watchman were watching TV when Bhushan, one I would be pestering the staff to answer more compli- of the boys said he had to go on a "call". Shortly therecated and detailed questions about the habits of snakes. after the lights went off and a sound like a cat mewing Workers are a mine of information and all of it is knowl- was heard. Baba, the watchman didnt seem to care but edge gained from practical experience. the other boy Popea and I were terried. Next a light Some nights we went frog catching. We used to go appeared at the window and the door started banging. after dinner on scooters to a river about 10 kms away. A voice (in Marathi) thundered, "close the window". The method was simple. One person shone a torch on All sorts of strange things kept happening one after anthe wet banks of the riverbed, blinding the vision of the other. A skull with bones was oating in the air outfrog, which would stop dead in its tracks, while another side the window and when we went out, cautiously, to nabbed it with his bare hands from behind. (Frogs must see who was there we found no one. Returning to the be taken alive or else the snakes wont eat them.) It room we found my bedding thrown around and my was easy to catch the frogs as they remain quite still for clothes and the whole room in a mess. The door frame the few seconds it takes to catch them, the difcult part shook, the windows rattled and I held on tight to the being only to ensure that once caught they do not slip watchmans hand. I remembered being told that if one

CHAPTER 6. SNAKES ALIVE!

24

makes the sign of the cross the "ghost" will disappear, her description I know now that it was a green whip and so I did that, but it didnt work. This ghost ap- snake, a very delicate and absolutely harmless snake. parently did not know the rules. Then suddenly we Another time as a toddler, Mum says, I was playing received a phone call from Bhushan saying that he was with some old cartons and boxes at the farm when out on his way back, and strangely, with Bhushans return, leapt a snake from one of them. To my parents astonthe ghost had done the disappearing act. Nothing more ishment, instead of crying out in fear as one might exwas heard from the ghost after that. The next day when pect a child to do, I promptly went on my hands and I told Anna and the others about this night-time visitor knees crawling towards it as fast as I could, reaching they all had a good laugh. out and trying to catch it. During my stay at the park I learnt how to hanIn fact, as mum tells it, I seem to have deliberately dle almost all the non-poisonous snakes except the gone out of my way to befriend snakes as a child. pythons. I also learnt how to handle monitor lizards, I would be afraid of dogs, for, as I would say, they catch geckos and eat earthworms. Eating earthworms had teeth and could bite, but snakes didnt appear to was not part of my diet or training, but once I saw Mr have any and for that reason perhaps remained my best Shirke toss one into his mouth after being challenged friends. to do so by one of the boys. I thought of trying this out and though I felt nauseated the rst time I took a bite. I was okay the second time, for earthworms taste

Field Work Notes: Snakes

crunchy, like raw cucumber, not slimy and wet as they There are around 2500 species of snakes in the world. Of these, only about 15% are poisonous. The maximum look. On my last day at the Park, I was allowed to handle number of species of poisonous snakes is found in Ausa cobra. I held a stick under the neck of the cobra and tralia (90% of the snakes are poisonous). 238 species of snakes are found in India. Of these, 72 then lifted it by its tail. I did this about 2-3 times after which the cobra was put back in its box. I was so ex- are poisonous. But only few can cause serious or fatal cited and happy. It was a perfect ending to my stay at bites. For example, Pit Vipers are poisonous but rarely prove fatal to human beings. The poisonous Big Four the Snake Park. As I write this I think about my other previous expe- are (1) the Cobra, (2) the Krait, (3) the Russels Viper, riences with snakes. Like the story my mum tells about and (4) the Saw-Scaled Viper. Of these the most poithe time when I was only a few months old, sleeping sonous is the common Krait. Its venom is about four one afternoon in my cradle at our home in Valpoi. She times more toxic than that of the Cobra. had heard a soft thud and to her utter horror she saw a All sea-snakes are poisonous. The most poisonous thin bluish green snake which had obviously dropped snakes in the world include some sea-snakes which from the roof making loops all over and around the have venom 5 times more toxic than the Cobra. But cradle. Snakes are not unusual in the countryside and sea-snakes will bite only when severely provoked and RUSTIC Farm was no exception. Mum says she was are never known to attack swimmers in water. Snakes are cold-blooded; their eyesight is very terried but dared not make a sound for I was sleeping soundly and the cradle was covered with a mosquito poorly developed and they have no eyelids. They are net, outside of which the snake leapt around. It was deaf and can only respond to vibrations. They taste, less than a minute before it bounded onto the chairs feel and smell with their forked tongue. These senses and was out of the window and she rushed to reassure are very well developed and enable them to differentiherself that I was safe which I very much was. From ate between living and dead creatures, prey or enemy.

CHAPTER 6. SNAKES ALIVE!

25

Some poisonous snakes inject venom into their prey, hours. At the hospital antivenom will be given which release the prey and then track it down with their rapidly subdues the effects of the venom. tongue after the venom has done its job of killing it. The the prey from the inside. To avoid snakes, the following precautions must be Rat holes should be lled and rats should be prevented venom contains digestive enzymes that start digesting taken. Rubbish around the house should be cleared. Snakes grow rapidly till they mature and then con- from breeding in and around the house. Long tree tinue to grow very slowly till their death. As they grow, branches touching the houses and creepers trailing the they outgrow their skin so they moult the old one after porches and window panes should be cut. Good boots a new skin has formed under it. The snake splits the old should be used while walking through forested area. skin at the nose and literally crawls out of the old skin. Avoid stepping over any obstacle when the other side During moulting, the snake stops eating but becomes is not visible and use a torch while moving outside the aggressive. A bite from a poisonous snake affects either the nervous system (neurotoxic) or the blood vessels (hemotoxic) of human beings. The only cure against snake bite is snake anti-venom. It is made by injecting very small doses of raw venom (about one-tenth of the fatal dose) into a horse and then gradually increasing the dose, making the horse immune to snake venom. The blood of the horse is then drawn, frozen and processed after separating the antibodies and crystallized into a powder. This is anti-venom as we know it. When a snake bite occurs, the following rst aid measures should be taken. Panic should be avoided and the patient should be kept warm and reassured. The wound should be checked to see if it is a poisonous or non poisonous bite. A poisonous bite will have two big fang marks, a non poisonous bite will have many teeth marks. If the bite is poisonous, the patient should rst be immobilized. No alcohol, tea, coffee or other stimulants, nor even painkillers should be given. The wound should not be washed or cut or the poison swabbed out as this could cause infection and loss of blood. A tight tourniquet can be tied a little above the wound, such that one nger should be able to pass under the tourniquet. The patient should be transported as quickly as possible to the nearest hospital. The tourniquet should be left in place until antivenom is given. But it should be released for 10 seconds every 90 seconds and should not be used for more than six house at night.

Chapter 7

A Vacation within a Vacation

My stay at the Pune Snake Park was to be for about hour later came my parents anxious call from Goa to three weeks but I was enjoying the experience so much nd out if I had reached safely. By then I was already that I was reluctant to return home. To my good fortune in my shorts watching a movie on TV with my cousins. the family decided to spend the Diwali vacation holiThe next few weeks were strictly not part of my sabdaying in Rajasthan and since it was necessary to travel batical programme for it was a holiday along with my to Mumbai to catch the onward train north, I persuaded family, with snakes and frogs and sh left far behind. my parents that I would come to Mumbai directly from Our holiday included a brief visit to Ahmedabad where Pune where I would meet them at my grandparents we stayed with Korah and Sue Mathen. I had met Kohouse in Girgaum. So I got myself a few extra days rah and his daughter Nidhi a few months earlier at at the Park and another experience of nding my way the organic farmers meeting in Wynad. On knowing around, this time in the big city of Mumbai. that there was a snake park in Ahmedabad we simSujit bought me a bus ticket to Mumbai and dropped ply had to visit the place, just to satisfy my curiosme off at the bus station as well. I had earlier received ity. At the park, we found pythons, Russels vipers, elaborate instructions on the phone from my dad on kraits, chequered keelbacks, boas, ratsnakes and a king how I was to get to Girgaum once I got off the bus at cobra, all in glass cages. The park also had starback Dadar and backup information from my nervous Mum tortoises, monitor lizards, ducks and geese of various on what I should do in case I got lost. I later learnt that kinds, monkeys and other small animals. There was my uncle and family were also put on alert to receive a also a small aquarium, kept very poorly. I dont know call from their nephew in distress, which did not hap- whether the whole setup was run down because of lack pen for I was determined to nd my way on my own, of funds or lack of interest. and I succeeded in doing so. From Ahmedabad we went by train to Jaipur where The bus left Pune at around 10 a.m. and arrived in we spent the next eight days at the home of Srilata and Mumbai a little after 2 p.m. I took a taxi, gave the driver Mahendra Chowdhury. Although our base was Jaipur the address and watched carefully as the taxi sped we visited and stayed two nights at a real fort, on the away down unfamiliar streets. I could barely recognise outskirts of Jaipur. It was my rst visit to a fort and the place where the driver dropped me off but I asked it was quite an experience living high up in the resiaround and after wandering about for around 20 min- dential part of the fort with its cool rooms, some large, utes, found myself suddenly at the doorstep of the fa- others tiny, some corridors so narrow and so low one miliar 47/C Khotachiwadi, my paternal grandparents had to bend ones head to walk through. The time of house. My aunt and uncle were expecting me and so our visit coincided with the famous solar eclipse which were my favourite cousins, Lucano and Ricardo. An was the talk of the town but I was disappointed with 26

CHAPTER 7. A VACATION WITHIN A VACATION

the eclipse as it darkened only briey before returning to normal again. My friends told me later that the TV experience was far more wonderful. In Jaipur we went sightseeing almost everyday, visiting forts, palaces and shopping bazaars, and had delicious kul and lassi in mud pots, and mouth-watering chicken tandoori. We drove down to Udaipur, where we went boating on the famous lake, saw some more palaces and then to Srilata and Mahendras second home in Ghantali where we swam in the river behind the house and shed with the village boys. The vacation ended with a 3 hour bus journey to Ratlam station, from where my brothers and I returned to Mumbai with my mum while my dad went on to Delhi. This time we stayed at my maternal grandparents place in Mahim. My grandfather, a sprightly 86 year old and a very active gentleman, was there to greet us. It happened to be his birthday and he decided to take us all out to dinner to a Chinese restaurant not very far away from the house. I recall we were all dressed and ready to go when Mum asked Grandpapa how we were going to the restaurant. To which he said: "You and the boys take a taxi, but I will walk. I prefer to walk." I was quite astonished. Of course, we all decided instead to walk to the restaurant, with Grandpapa briskly leading the way, and had an enjoyable birthday dinner. My mum and my two younger brothers, Sameer and Milind returned to Goa soon thereafter, but I stayed on with Grandpapa in Mumbai for a few more days, since I was to proceed from there directly to Chennai where I would spend the next two and a half months in the pleasant company of spiders, earthworms and my alltime favourites, crocodiles and snakes.

27

Chapter 8

Earthworms
On the 6th of November, I was put on the Chennai ried a water bottle, some snacks and some fruit which Express, which was to leave Dadar Railway station at was all I ate during the journey. The train was delayed by 3 hours and it was well about trains since he has worked in the railways all his past 11.30 p.m. when it arrived at Chennai Central railworking life. My mum had requested him to check way station. I was to be met at the station by my parmy departure from Mumbai since Dadar railway sta- ents long-time friend K. Manoharan. Uncle Mano and tion is a crowded and busy place and I too was not Aunty Sagu had willingly agreed to look after me durcondent of nding my way around. Earlier Grand- ing my stay in Chennai, even though both of them were papa had brought me to the railway station by cab after not keeping good health. Not knowing where exactly making me double-check that I had my ticket, sufcient Uncle Mano would be waiting I walked towards the encash, little tidbits to eat and my water bottle lled for trance keeping a careful lookout for him. Yet, I failed to the long journey ahead. recognise him when I saw him for his hair was whiter I was to spend one night and the whole of the next than when I had seen him last. He recognised me, howday in the train for it was due to arrive in Chennai at ever, from the bright yellow haversack that I carried. about 8.30 p.m. on the 7th. Having travelled on a cou- He took me home in a rickshaw. I had some food there ple of journeys by train during the past few months I and went straight off to sleep. Uncle Mano suggested was quite relaxed on this one although I continued to that I relax the next day, which I did, watching T.V., be watchful and careful of my things throughout. looking at photo albums and generally chatting with The train journey from Mumbai was entirely un- them about my sabbatical so far and about my plans in eventful. I had a window seat and slept the night on Chennai. the lower berth. Around me was a family of migrant Early the following morning Uncle Mano and I set off workers who spoke neither Hindi nor English and who for New College where Dr Sultan Ismails Earthworm were quite busy doing their own things. I did not Institute is located and where I would spend the next speak with them nor with anyone else on the journey fortnight studying earthworms and vermiculture. Acbut contented myself with watching the countryside tually I had a choice of studying at Dr Bhawalkars cenwe passed through and the hustle and bustle at each tre in Pune or Dr Ismails institute in Chennai. But I station, and when I was bored I just went to sleep. I chose Chennai because I had heard Dr Ismail speak at had about Rs.500 with me in cash and some of this was the organic farmers convention in Kottayam and had carefully tucked away in different pockets of my jeans, liked his talk very much. Another reason of course was the balance in various compartments of the haversack. that I was dying to get to the Crocodile Bank in MamalWhen I slept the haversack was my pillow. I also car- lapuram and being in Chennai which was close to the 28 7 p.m., by my Uncle Alan who is very knowledgeable

CHAPTER 8. EARTHWORMS
Croc Bank was innitely better than being far away in take soil samples using the tulgren funnel. Pune where Dr Bhawalkar works.

29

There were about 8 to 10 students doing different

Although Uncle Mano, being a heart patient, does kinds of research under Dr Ismail and all of us worked not usually travel by bus, he deliberately took me by in a large room which was formerly the main library. bus that morning so that I could get to know the route Each one had a separate desk to work and when I came to New College. On the way he pointed out to me var- I was also given my own desk and chair. The big hall ious landmarks which would help me know my way also had a mini library on earthworm related books at around, and gave me general bits of advice on how to one end and it was a simple matter therefore to nd the travel in the city. I had to learn well and quickly, for books I needed to read. language would be the main problem for me in this city where I spoke no Tamil. The main vermi-beds, compost pits and so on were on the ground oor but some of the vermi-beds which

At the College we met Dr Ismail who took us through were in crates were stacked in the narrow corridor outthe college campus down to the elds where the vermi- side the study hall, where we also gathered to eat our pits were and we saw the biogas plant, the garbage lunch in the afternoons. Usually any one of the stucollection pits, the culture crates and the organic com- dents would briey guide me in the work that I was post now ready for use. I was quite eager to begin and assigned for the day after which I would manage on happy when "Sir" as everyone calls him, suggested I my own. start work from the next day itself. During my fortnight stay at the Institute I learnt a lot Every day, except Sundays, for the next 15 days I fol- about earthworm environments, including determinalowed the same routine which was: wake up at 6 a.m or tion of porosity of soil, moisture content and texture. so, eat a hot breakfast of idlis, sambar, dosas, vadas or I also observed the other organisms present in the soil whatever was cooked for breakfast, carry a hot packed and took photos of microarthropods with the help of a lunch which Aunty Sagu prepared for me and catch a compound microscope. At the end of the course, I pracbus by 7 a.m. from Ashok Pillar to Panagal where I had tically prepared a vermi-bed and also ate a few earthto change buses and get on one going to New College. worms and cockroaches for experience! Usually I would land up at the College by 8.30 a.m. or My stay in Chennai was not without its share of adso and would be at the College till about 3.30 or 4 p.m., venture. I recall that on my second day, I had entered after which the journey would be reversed. These tim- a bus and rushed for an empty seat. I was completely ings helped me to avoid the ofce rush both ways. My unaware of the procedure, that while in Goa the ticket dad had suggested to Prof Ismail that I be given prac- collector comes to you and sells you the ticket in the tical experience and so my programme included a mix- bus, in Chennai one has to go to the conductor (who ture of study from books, taking down notes, watch- is seated at the end of the bus) and buy the ticket. So ing and helping the others and nally making my own while I waited for the conductor to come on his rounds vermi-pits. two inspectors came up to me and caught me for not During the rst two days I read up as much as I buying the ticket. One of them started shouting at me in could about earthworms and the world they inhabit a forceful stream of Tamil. After much action and hand from books which were recommended to me by Dr Is- waving, I explained that I did not know Tamil, that I mail. Later I started to observe the different types of was from Goa and it was the rst time I was travelling earthworms, their movements, colour and other char- in a bus in Chennai. He ned me Rs.25! Fortunately, I acteristics. I also learnt a lot about different types of had enough money on me and paid the ne but when soils, their textures and nature, and was taught how to I got down from the bus, I found that my empty purse

CHAPTER 8. EARTHWORMS
had also been pick-pocketed!

30 the Earthworm Institute, the spider centre and later at

Another time I was on the last step of a bus which I the Crocodile Bank and I am most grateful for that. I thought would be quite okay for I had seen many peo- hope when they read this book they will forgive me for ple travelling while hanging at the doors of crowded all the trouble I must have caused them. buses. However, as this bus started gathering speed I found it very difcult to hold on because the weight of so many people began to press against me and it felt

Extracts from Diary: Earthworms

like I was literally holding everyone in with my out- 10th November: Sir gave me a book on earthworms to stretched arms as I hung practically out of the door. I read, then Jagan took me down to the eld. There I resolved never to travel on the footboard, if I could help was able to observe many organisms other than earthworms. We took a soil sample from one place and then it, again. I also got lost several times. But I would never phone went back to the lab where we put the soil sample into for help with directions but would struggle away, walk- the tulgren funnel. I then went and brought three more ing this side or that, asking passers-by till I reached fa- samples from the vermi-tech pit. We then put these also miliar landmarks which would get me home. Often I into three other tulgren funnels. By then it was lunch found that I had alighted from the bus a few stops be- time and we all ate together. After lunch I weighed the fore or after my destination. On one such occasion the soil samples and got to see the organisms that were in next stop was so far away that I jumped out of the bus the beaker under the tulgren funnel. At 3.30 p.m I left while it slowed down at a trafc light and then spent for home. 11th November: In the morning, I was given two nearly 30 minutes walking back! Although Uncle Mano and Aunty Sagu had wel- types of earthworms i.e. Lampito mauritii and Pericomed me very warmly. Looking back, I think I must onyx excavatus and told to observe them. I spent the have given them quite a headache during my stay at whole morning doing this. After lunch, I wrote down their house because of my rather careless and casual the observations that I had made. In the evening we ways and the laid-back lifestyle I had acquired and was went out to the College playground and also to the area thoroughly enjoying. Uncle Mano would constantly be near the College Boarding to make some observations. shouting at me for not having a bath regularly or for We dug two pits of 25 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm each at the staying in the bathroom forever when I decided to have playground and one, of the same size, at the Boarding. a bath or for wearing soiled clothes again instead of We made many observations which included the numwashing them. ber and species of earthworms we found and whether Aunty Sagu cooks well and I enjoyed her food but they were clitellates or not. We also made observations both she and Uncle Mano would notice that I ate much regarding soil, atmospheric temperature and relative more when there was chicken or sh for dinner rather humidity and took soil samples to measure the moisthan vegetarian food and I would get a lecture again ture content. for my poor appetite for simple food. I was also quite 12th November: Left for New College as usual. I was a sloppy fellow and would slouch around on the sofas told that Sir did not come today as he had a high viafter coming back from the college, channel surng as I ral fever. Yesterday a research scholar had expired and watched TV, which must have been quite exasperating so there was a condolence meeting today. After that for both of them. Anyway, they took very good care of everybody left as it was declared a holiday. I arrived me, not only in terms of feeding me but also going out home at about 10.30 a.m. I had a bath and then some of their way to make arrangements for me to study at food. I then watched a bit of TV and wrote my diary.

CHAPTER 8. EARTHWORMS

31

In the night Uncle Mano and Aunty Sagu had invited ter she nished, she gave it to Sir who also made some some guests and had cooked chicken curry which I en- corrections. joyed very much. 23rd November: Wrote my report in fair in the new 14th November: Sir did not arrive today either. With notebook I had bought. Then Jagan and I stuck the phothe help of Jagan I used the Infrared Moisture Bal- tographs we had clicked earlier in the various spaces in ance to nd out the moisture content of the soil sam- the notebook. Then Sir said that I would have to preples which we had taken on Saturday. After we n- pare a vermi-bed on my own. He gave me a bucket and ished one sample, the voltage started uctuating so we I made a vermi-bed in it. Sir checked that I had done it used the tulgren funnel instead. Then Jagan sent me correctly. to get soil samples from the eld and from the area 24th November: Drew some diagrams that remained near the Boarding. We put the soil samples in the tul- to be done in my notebook. Then gave it to Sir for nal gren funnel and observed the arthropods that fell into approval. He made me write a few lines about each the beaker under a compound microscope. We also ob- photograph. He said I should come and collect it after served some preserved specimens of microarthropods. a week or so. After that I said bye to everyone and left 15th November: Pounded 100 gms of soil sample and at 4.30 for home. 10 days later... then sieved each soil sample through 5 sieves. Then weighed the soil in each sieve and noted this down. 5th December: Today was a holiday, so I went to 16th November: Did sieving of soil in the morning. collect my report book from New College where I had In the evening, used Keenscups to nd out the water- given it to Sir for his signing. Met all my friends there. holding capacity/porosity. All of them wrote their remarks in my report book and 18th November: Sir arrived this morning. Read some then it was stamped. Sir gave me a certicate for the books in the library for sometime. Then did a bit of earthworm course I had nished at the Institute. Then soil sieving and then did burning of soil in a bunsen Chitra dropped me in her Fiat car near the Panagal Park burner. In the afternoon, I watched a very comic lm bus stop. called "Junior Shylock". 19th November: Started preparing my report in Field Notes on Vermiculture: Turning Garbage into rough. In the evening I went with Babu to buy a lm Gold roll for taking photographs for my report. 20th November: Did burning of a second sample of soil. After that Jagan, Sir and I photographed microarthropods with the help of the compound microVermicompost and vermiwash are the two earthworm products that have become very popular nowadays. Ordinary organic garbage which consists of litter, such as, kitchen waste and dead plant material is used and

scope that has a camera attached to it. After lunch, I converted into manure with the help of earthworms. attended a seminar conducted by one of the students. 21st November: Ate a Perionyx excavatus earthEarthworms worm in the morning. Then weighed some soil sam-

ples to nd out the waterholding capacity of different There are three kinds of earthworms. One, the epigeal soils, weighed burnt soil, also learnt how to calculate or surface earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) which eats and nd out soil texture of different samples of soil. only organic litter which is present on the top layer of Continued writing my report. the soil. Two, the anecic earthworms (Lampito mau22nd November: Sat and wrote the nal parts of my ritii) which are present in the upper layers of soil and report. Then I gave it to Chitra who corrected it. Af- feed on waste and leaf litter. The third kind are present

CHAPTER 8. EARTHWORMS
deep inside the soil and are known as endogeic earth- Vermicompost worms (Octochaetona thriretonis). The most suitable earthworms recommended for vermiculture are the epigeic and anecic earthworms. Perionyx excavatus is purplish red and rough. Near the two ends the Perionyx excavatus is almost black in colour. It is smaller and thinner (approx. 10 cms long) and more active compared to the Lampito mauritii. They also breed faster than Lampito mauritii. Lampito mauritii are greyish white in colour and shiny, thicker and longer (length-16 cms) compared to Perionyx excavatus.

32

A pit, a small plastic or wooden crate or, even a bucket, can be used for vermicomposting organic matter. Although not necessary, two crates can be used simultaneously; while one is being used for fresh garbage, the garbage in the other can be allowed to decompose. First, 6-8 holes should be made (one at each corner and four in the middle of the crate). A pot or a bucket needs about 3-5 holes. The crate or pit must rst be lled with a one inch layer of pebbles or broken bricks.

ture. Since earthworms breathe through the skin, they then be moistened with water. A little bit of cowdung perish if their skin becomes dry or the quantity of mu- (nitrogen) and some hay (carbon) should be spread on cus diminishes. Hence to keep earthworms alive in it, and the contents of the pit left for 20-30 days. This is the vermicompost containers, care should be taken to called a vermibed. The cowdung and hay will allow the ensure that the vermibed remains moist. Earthworms worms to multiply. With this, the vermicompost crate however do not prefer waterlogged soils. In fact if or pit will be ready for processing organic waste. earthworms are kept in water for too long, the concentration of ammonia that is discharged through their

nor too ne sand. These are the ideal conditions that spread. Then Lampito mauritii and Perionyx excavamust be kept in mind when using them for vermicul- tus earthworms should be introduced. The soil must

Earthworms prefer cool temperatures, moist soil, hu- Then, a half to one inch layer of sand should be spread. midity, relatively less sunlight and neither too coarse Over that, a ve to six inch layer of soil should be

All organic waste should be evenly spread out on

excreta makes the water too toxic for the earthworms the vermibed. As far as possible add garbage in small to survive. Earthworms also cannot tolerate salt or salt quantities regularly rather than dumping large quanwater even briey. garbage immediately. Water the container occasionally

tities at one go. The earthworm begins processing the

Earthworms are hermaphrodites. Depending on the so that the vermibed remains moist. Once the container species, their life span is between six months to one is full with organic waste, it should be covered with year. Fully matured earthworms upon mating shed a little soil and allowed to decompose undisturbed. their clitellum (a small band like an overgrowth of skin) Only watering the pit should continue. After it has and produce cocoons which take about 14 days to incu- decomposed fully (roughly 45 days) watering must be bate and hatch into juveniles. Maximum three juveniles stopped for about 3 to 5 days. This will force the earthare hatched from each cocoon. From the juvenile to the worms to migrate down to the bottom of the container clitellate stage i.e. the fully matured or reproductive which will have some moisture as compared with the stage it takes 15-18 days. Thus earthworms are able to top soil. Then the top layer of soil which is really the multiply several times in their life span which makes organic matter which has been converted into manure them ideally suited to process even large quantities of should be removed without disturbing the vermibed. garbage. This organic manure can be used for plants.

CHAPTER 8. EARTHWORMS

33 earthworms, as a result, contain nutrients in a form that is readily available to the plants for their growth. The plants in turn, when they die or shed leaves, contribute to the litter which becomes food for microbes and fungi. Thus natures cycle is made whole and complete. Earthworms have proven that they are wonderful creatures for they can truly turn garbage into gold.

Vermiwash
A drum, barrel or bucket can be used for making vermiwash. The drum or bucket should be placed on supports a little above the ground. A hole should be made at the bottom of the container. A pipe should be pushed through the hole and a tap attached to the outer end. The bottom of the drum should be covered with a layer of gravel (about 6-8 inches). Over it, a layer of sand (6-8 inches), and then a layer of soil (6-8 inches) should be spread. The earthworms should then be introduced and the soil moistened a little. Then a little bit of cowdung and hay should be mixed together and scattered over it. This should be left for a few days. Whenever vermiwash is needed, water should be sprinkled with a shower or, gradually poured on top of it (5 litres of water for a 150 litres drum). The water will pass through the earthworm burrows and the organically rich soil will become liquid manure and can be collected at the bottom of the container. As the hay and cowdung is eaten up by the earthworms, this should gradually be replaced.

Conclusion
In nature, litter is decomposed in a way similar to what happens in a vermicompost pit. Litter (consisting of leaf material, twigs, bark, dead wood, owers, fruits and other plant and animal material) that falls on the ground is constantly moistened by dew or rain. Decomposition then sets in with the help of microbes, fungi and microarthropods. Microarthropods are of two kinds-the detritivores that feed on the litter attacked by the microbes and fungi and the predators that feed on the detritivores. The litter that has not been decomposed, dead microbes and microarthropods, along with their excretions and secretions, mix and form humus. This humus is in a complex form and therefore not available to the plants for use. Here is where earthworms come into the picture. The earthworms present in the soil feed on the humus. The castings (wormicasts) excreted by these

Chapter 9

Spiders
My stint with vermiculture over, I had another fort- another small hole in the lid: this hole was plugged night of study with Dr K. Vijayalakshmi, whom my with cotton. All these spiders and their activities indad calls Indias Spider Woman. Dr Vijayalakshmi has cluding growth, moulting, mating and hatching of babeen doing research on rearing spiders as a biological bies were monitored by Dr Vijayalakshmi. She had weapon for controlling cockroaches and her workplace an assistant called Selvan and he followed her instrucis full of spiders of various types, all in bottles, and bred tions, keeping the records and making the notings in a under her supervision. An authority on spiders, she is log book. also the author of a well-known book on the subject. During the fortnight that I worked with Dr VijayalakActually I had been anxiously waiting for a phone shmi, I simply slipped into this set-up, reading books call from my parents saying that the decks were cleared about spiders that Dr Vijayalakshmi gave me, then for my Crocodile Bank visit. Instead Dad had phoned learning to identify different spiders and simultaneto say that the nal arrangements for my stay at Croc ously helping Selvan in all the tasks that were needed Bank were still being nalised and that I could use the to maintain the huge spider population housed in the 10 days or so in between to learn what I could from Dr garage. Vijayalakshmi about spiders, and the unusual use she intends to put them to. I had readily agreed. The spiders that Dr Vijayalakshmi deals with are called giant crab spiders. These spiders do not build

Dr K. Vijayalakshmi and her husband both work in webs. They feed only on cockroaches. The spiders were an organisation called the Centre for Indian Knowledge a little smaller than their prey i.e. the cockroaches. I Systems (CIKS). CIKS is housed in a one storey build- used to separate the babies, feed them, check the moulting and Dr Vijayalakshmis ofce is on the rst oor. ings and catch ies for feeding them. I read a lot of

Here she studies various plants that are useful as pes- books here and sometimes caught the spiders in the ticides and so on. But I was not at all concerned with garden in order to identify and study them. that aspect of her work.

Spiders were not the only creatures housed in the

ders in various stages of growth. There must have been pieces thrown in the bucket. The cockroaches were fed over 500 transparent plastic bottles at the time I was once a week or so to the giant crab spiders. there, each one neatly labelled, and all sitting one next

In the garage of the building was the Spider Room-a garage. There were also cockroaches bred in buckets laboratory of sorts lled with bottles of different spi- with rolled cardboard in the centre and broken biscuit

The smaller spiders used to get ies to eat and these

to the other with spiders in them. For air, each bottle were caught by us everyday from the garden. The had tiny pinholes in its lid. Feeding was done through ies have to be fed alive to the spiders, so we used 34

CHAPTER 9. SPIDERS
transparent plastic bottles to trap the ies and once

35 29th November: Today did only feeding of spider ba-

caught we would carefully put them into the spiders bies. Madam did not come to the ofce as she was ill bottle. Sometimes the spider would immediately catch but her husband Dr Balasubramanian came to check on the prey and eat it; at other times the y would buzz us instead. Read some books on spiders in the afteraround in the bottle for days till the spider was ready noon. Left early for home as Uncle Mano and Aunty to eat it. Sagu were going away for a few days and I would be Dr Vijayalakshmi also bred a particular species of y staying at their relative Santosh Kumars place instead. in a small cage with ne mesh with a small saucer of They left at 7.30 p.m. and I waited at their neighbours milk in the centre as a medium for breeding. Baby spiders were also housed individually in botcome when maida or rava begins to lose its freshness. place for Santosh to collect me which he did at 9 p.m. 30th November: Being Sunday I got up late and ate diary for the past 2 days and watched some TV. In

tles and these were fed y larvae or the larvae which idlis, dosas and sambar for breakfast. Wrote out my The purpose of all these experiments was to nd out the evening Santosh took me to the bus stand and exwhich types of spiders were useful for using as pest plained the route I would have to take next morning to control agents to deal with cockroaches. Information CIKS. about spiders such as their growth, hardiness, their eat1st December: Madam came to the ofce today and ing habits, reproduction etc. are important indicators showed me how to collect spiders which were in the of the species of spiders that can be kept in houses as compound of the ofce. She also gave me some more material to read on spiders and told me to start preparing my essay on spiders. After doing a little bit of feedOther than the spider work I tried to learn Tamil from Selvan but he was keen to learn English from me and so ing as usual, I went out on my own and collected few both of us failed in learning a new language and ended species of spiders. Then Madam helped me identify up speaking a cocktail of TamEnglish instead. them and also some other species of spiders that they had caught. Spent the afternoon catching ies to feed to some of the older spiders. 2nd December: Today I only did identifying of different species of spiders. I took some material home predators for cockroaches.

Extracts from Diary:

Spiders

26th November: Uncle Mano and I left for Dr Vijayalak- to read and so I left early; was so busy looking at shmis ofce this morning at 7 a.m. While Uncle Mano the books I was carrying, I didnt notice the terminus and Madam chatted, I read some books. Madam then where I was to get off and got over carried much furshowed us her spider collection. She also introduced ther. Had to walk nearly half an hour back. Asked peome to Selvan. Before we left she gave me some books ple for directions and nally reached the terminus. to take home to read. 3rd December: Did not feel well today so I didnt go 27th November: Watched how Selvan separated to CIKS. Read the books I had brought at home. Started baby spiders from their mother, placing each baby in a preparing my written report. separate container. There were about 110 babies. Then 4th December: Today did feeding of spiders as usual. we fed about 200 older spider babies. Selvan showed Then caught about 70 ies and fed them to the adult spiders. Put 2 spiders to mate and made my observame how to check their moulting. 28th November: Today I did feeding of the spider tions. Continued writing my report in the evening. babies on my own. Then transferred adults from one container to another and then fed them. 5th December: Went to New College to collect my vermiculture report.

CHAPTER 9. SPIDERS

36

6th December: Did feeding of baby spiders rst. totally blind. Depending on the species a spiders life Then caught ies. A female spiders eggs had just span ranges from a couple of months to more than a hatched so Selvan and I did the separation of the ba- decade (e.g. mygalomorphs). bies into individual containers. Almost all spiders have their rst pair of appendages 7th December: Did writing of my report rst today. later modied into fangs with venom glands. But only Then I gave it to Madam to correct. After she nished a few have fangs that are large and strong enough to with it, I started writing it in fair. I nished writing the pierce human skin. Out of these, most cannot do any report before evening and left it with Madam for nal serious damage to human beings except for about four approval. to ve species which can be lethal. 8th December: Went to CIKS late as I had a bad stomThe Black Widow spider, for example, which is found ach. I was given my nal report signed and Madam in South America is the most poisonous of all spialso gave me a certicate. I left slightly early in the ders. The female of the species, whose poison is strong evening as I was still feeling unwell and was scheduled enough to kill a human being, often kills and eats the to leave for the Croc Bank the next day. male after mating and is thus aptly named the Black Widow. This spider is shiny black in colour with a red

Field Work Notes:

Spiders

hour glass mark on the ventricle side of the abdomen. Fortunately, there are no spiders in India which can seriously harm human beings.

There are about 30,000 species of spiders in the These days most of us use Baygon or some other synthetic poison to control cockroaches and other pests. world. They have been found upto a height of 23,000 But what does this do? It only makes cockroaches or feet up Mount Everest as well as underwater. pests immune or resistant to such poisons. Moreover, Almost all spiders are carnivorous. They can eat insynthetic chemicals are very harmful and pollute the sects, small birds, mammals and reptiles, including poienvironment. How nice it would be if we had a biolog- sonous snakes and other spiders, which they rst subical method of controlling of pests. But thats just what due with their poison. They inject their prey with a spiders are! highly lethal venom and, having no teeth, suck out the A spider is not an insect. Insects are made up of a liquid from inside their prey. Large spiders with longer head, thorax and an abdomen. They have compound and powerful jaws may eat part of or even the whole eyes and are six-legged. They usually grow wings in of their prey. Spiders can live without food from a few certain stages of their life and possess feelers or anten- weeks upto three months, depending on species, size, nae. Insects produce eggs which hatch into young that and age. They obtain liquid from their food and thus are completely different from their parents. The young do not need water. ones usually grow through metamorphosis. Many spiders spin webs to capture their prey. HowA spider on the other hand is an arthropod, made up ever spiders also have other means of capturing their of a cepolothorax joined to an abdomen. It does not prey. Some spiders spit a sticky web onto their prey. grow wings at any stage of its life. It is eight-legged, Others live in burrows with trapdoors. Whenever they and in place of the normal insect antennae it has pedi- feel hungry they come out and catch an unsuspecting palps. A spider generally has eight simple eyes or it insect. One species attaches a sticky drop to one end of could have six eyes e.g. a spitting spider. Depending its silken thread and holds it with its rst three pairs of on the species the eyesight may be well or poorly de- legs. When an insect passes by, the spider waves the veloped. Some species, such as the cave spiders, are thread at the insect and ropes it in, as it were.

CHAPTER 9. SPIDERS

37

Some spiders sit on owers and catch insects that there may be hundreds or even thousands of adults and come to collect nectar. Others spin a small web, hold it young ones living in one web. Even if a single prey is with their rst few pairs of appendages and then throw caught (such as a small y), all the spiders will share it on insects passing below them. Still others feed on the meal. other spiders only and are called pirate spiders. A few Spiders multiply very rapidly. After mating, an egg spiders live on the webs of other spiders: they are too sac is constructed and the internally fertilized eggs laid small to be eaten by their host. They eat the small prey inside the egg sac which is carried by the female with her palps and fangs. Fertilization of eggs may be interSpiders also have amazing defence mechanisms. nal or external depending on the species. Within 15 to Some spiders camouage themselves as a bird drop- 20 days, 80% of the eggs hatch. (The eggs hatch into ping. Others, as a dried yellow or black rotting leaf young spiderlings. The new born spiders are similar or twig. And yet others resemble ants which are of- to their parents, only smaller. The spiderlings moult to ten rejected by birds, reptiles and other insects. Some mature.) After a gap of one week to ten days the next are even able to change colour and shape, to some ex- batch of eggs is laid in a fresh egg sac, and fertilised tent, to match their surroundings. Some species build with the help of stored sperm. The female can do this zigzag white coloured threads in their webs which are three to four times without mating with another male, visible to birds who avoid ying through the webs and although she will readily mate with a male after the laydamaging them. ing of every batch of eggs. The male spider is smaller than the female, and is Spiders have proven themselves to be one of the best thus liable to be eaten by his mate. So, the male uses biocontrollers of insect pests. Very few of us realize that many tactics to prevent his being devoured by his mate. spiders were, are and will be laying traps for insects In some cases the male drums or pulls at the strings of even after man has nally disappeared from the earth. the web in a special code to announce that he is not a prey or an enemy, but a sexual object. Some spiders offer their mate a gift such as a juicy that get caught in the web, thus keeping it tidy.

How to Rear Spiders

y, wrapped in silk. But it may well be taken back af- Spiders have cannibalistic tendencies, i.e. if two or ter mating and offered to another female. Sometimes more are kept in one container, they will prey on each a male may even offer the female the empty husk of other. Hence from birth, they must be separated into an insect. Sometimes the male loosely binds the fe- individual containers. male with silk to immobilize her before mating. Some Transparent plastic containers (size depending on the species of male spiders may patiently wait near the web individual species) can be used to rear spiders. A few of a female spider for weeks until she has caught a prey, pin-sized holes should be made in the lid of the conand then mate with her while she is busy feeding on tainer as aeration holes. One big hole should be made the prey. Sometimes, the male is so small compared to for dropping prey inside. It should be blocked with a the female that the female is practically unaware of him piece of cotton. Baby spiders will eat culture foods such as Thrywhile mating and this gives him protection. Most spiders are solitary in nature. Each one builds polium, drosophilia, fruit y and house y larvae. As its own separate web. If one spider falls by mistake they grow, they will eat house ies and later on cockinto another web, the bigger spider will eat the smaller roaches. spider. However, there are some spiders called soCleaning the prey remains and moults is a must. Two cial spiders that live together in one web. Sometimes containers should be used. Every week the used one

CHAPTER 9. SPIDERS
should be washed with soap and water, and allowed to dry in the sun. The legs of the stands on which the spider containers are kept should be placed in bowls of water or oil to avoid ants. The adults should be fed well before allowing them to mate. Spiders will tolerate moderate room temperature. Culturing food 1. Milk powder and a medium sized piece of cotton, mixed with water. Every day, a teaspoon of milk powder should be added. 2. Drosophilia larvae culturing: quarter cup of wheat our and two medium sized pieces of jaggery should be boiled in two cups of water. Housey and drosophilia can be reared in a wooden or metal framed box, covered with a ne mesh or netting. The above mixture should be put into small bowls and introduced into the cage. Adult houseies and drosophilia should be captured and put inside the cage and left there to lay their eggs. 3. Thrypodium larvae: adults are found in rava and maida. A special bucket should be kept with an aeration hole and the maida or rava in the bucket, sprinkled with a little bit of water every day. A strainer can be used to strain out the larvae wherever necessary. 4. Cockroaches: need a bucket with many big aeration holes, covered with a ne mesh. A few rolls of paper can be placed vertically inside the box for the cockroaches to climb on.

38

Chapter 10

Crocodile Dundee
Croc Bank is home to thousands of crocodiles, all of December was the most eagerly awaited month of my one year sabbatical. All decks had nally been them housed in pits of varying sizes with sloping walls cleared for my long awaited trip to the Crocodile Bank to enable water to collect at the centre so that the crocs at Mamallapuram. Nearly three months earlier my dad can sunbathe on the upper part of the slopes. Some had written to Romulus Whitaker the legendary snake- of the huge crocodiles have individual pits but usually man who now runs the Croc Bank asking whether I the species is kept separately, male and female further could spend some time there. There had been no re- separated from each other. A large enclosure divided ply largely because Rom travels quite a bit but also be- into several sections houses the baby crocs. cause, as I discovered, writing replies to letters is about for. In addition to crocodiles, snakes also have a signimulus Whitakers rst love, and he is still known as the the last thing these animal-dedicated persons have time cant position at Croc Bank for snakes were Director RoI was in fact beginning to feel quite frustrated think- Snakeman, having founded Madras Snake Park several ing that my trip would not work out when Srilata years ago. There is, in fact, a big snake pit at the Croc Swaminadhan (with whom we stayed in Jaipur) told Bank, in which various kinds of snakes are kept. Here, my father that her sister lived at Mamallapuram and snake venom is extracted from the snakes by the Irulas. would help out. Phone calls back and forth and nally There is a separate fee for visitors for entering the snake it was all organised. I was overjoyed when my dads area. While the poisonous snakes are kept in pots in a phone call came to Uncle Manos house saying I could snake room, the King Cobras, of course, have special separate rooms. go. Babu, Uncle Manos nephew, reached me by bus to glorious month there, the nearest I got to living in the Croc Bank also has enclosures and pits for various At one end of the campus is the library, well stocked the Croc Bank on the 9th of December and I spent one kinds of turtles and large aquariums with sh in them. wild. Although I was supposed to return home for with books and magazines on all these creatures. AdjaChristmas I begged to be let off and was in the seventh cent to it are the residential quarters of researchers and heaven when my parents agreed. In fact I enjoyed my guests (there were mainly foreigners at the time I was stay so much, that in March, I returned to the Croc Bank there) who come to stay at Croc Bank from time to time. again (for a brief while), as that was the breeding sea- The residential quarters are quite simple but comfortson for crocodiles. able. Each room has a bed, desk and table, and an atThe Croc Bank is situated at Mamallapuram which is tached bath and toilet. I occupied one of these rooms about 37 kms from Chennai. It is a huge place with a during my stay here. beach just behind it. 39 The Irula families live in a separate area close to

CHAPTER 10. CROCODILE DUNDEE

where the Snake pits are located. The permanent staff catch them in the water. which includes the Director, Deputy Directory and oth-

40

The croc bank is lled with pits. Each of these pits

ers have their own individual houses located in various is an enclosure varying in size, depending on the size places within the Croc Bank. and type of reptile, and the number of them in it. EvDuring my stay I became good friends with many ery pit has a pond of sorts lled with water for the of the people at the Croc Bank including the six foot reptiles to swim in or to drink. Most of the crocodile tall Director, Romulus Whitaker, whom everyone calls pits were bare, but the monitor lizard pits were usually Rom; his wife, Zai Whitaker; their sons Samir and lled with trees which they could climb to the highest Nikhil; Harry Andrews, the Deputy Director who hails branches. The branch ends were kept within the range from Kerala; Romaine, his wife and their son Tharak, of the pits so that the monitor lizards did not get out Gerry the snake-catcher from Bangalore and many oth- by trying to climb other trees or jumping out from the ers. My stay at Croc bank was exciting throughout and high branches. The ponds of the monitor lizards were almost waist

I learnt a lot. For the rst few days, I was given my deep with dark murky water and you had to feel rst assignment i.e., treating a 2-foot long turtle with around until you touched the head, leg or body of the infected skin. I used to apply ointment to its feet and monitor (they are less likely to bite in water). Then I then put on some bandage. The next day, before repeat- would feel around till I got the tail, slowly lift it to the ing the treatment, I had to feed the turtle with cabbage surface and grab the neck under the water. Their necks in water. were so huge that I could hardly get my ngers round From turtles, I moved to big lizards i.e. monitor them. On land, catching them by grabbing the tail was lizards and Green Iguanas. The Green Iguana I handled much faster, but one had to avoid the biting head by was quite big-about the size of an average dachshund. quickly grabbing the neck. His tail measured two to three times the length of his Once, when the Croc Bank staff wanted to get some body if not more. From head to tail, he must have been monitors down from the trees, they just took a long about two and a half metres long. But he had been in stick and pushed them over from the height of almost captivity for so long that he was very friendly, though a two storey building. They fell on the ground but sufhe had sharp claws and a spiny back and head. Some- fered no damage and just continued running around. times, when I used to guide special guests around, I I recall the day Gerry challenged Nikhil "the bodywould take him out so that they could have a feel of builder" to pull a monitor lizard that was half out of his sandpapery skin. I was surprised when Harry, the a burrow. At rst he thought the monitors tail would deputy director, told me the Iguana was as old as I was. break but though he tugged with all his might his ripSometimes, I also handled monitor lizards. They pling muscles couldnt move an inch of the monitor. were very strong, had sharp claws and a very bad bite. In the mornings, I helped the workers clean the croc Every time I jumped into the pit to handle them they pits, a task which I thoroughly enjoyed. We would would rush into the water. I soon learned to be quick jump into the pits with big sticks and chase all the crocs enough, and would get them before they could reach into the water. Then we would clean out the croc shit the water. Once they were cornered they would whip and the left overs of their food which included a lot their tails about and inate their necks, hissing danger- of bones. This exercise was usually done with a male ously. Of course, you had a few of them running up worker rst chasing the crocs into the water. Then trees and then you couldnt do anything about it. I soon the remaining 3 to 4 women would help with brooms, discovered that though it looked scarier, it was easier to baskets and spades. Occasionally, we would have a

CHAPTER 10. CROCODILE DUNDEE

41

crocodile wanting us to get out of his pit instead. No and ranks may be, 3rd or 4th in the world in terms of matter how hard you hit him on his nose he would his length. Therefore, after Part II of The Great White chase you around until he would nally give in, so Man-eating Shark was produced, called Jaws II, the to speak, and dash into the water with a big splash Croc Bank rightly decided to name its crocodile Jaws or sometimes, glide gracefully to where he could join III. his friends who sometimes numbered a thousand! (The Jaws III was a loner and would kill anything includCroc Bank had around seven thousand crocs at the time ing other crocs which fell into his pit. So he lived a I was there.) lonely, if majestic life. Whenever we jumped into his I also had occasion to participate a few times in the pit to clean it he would come charging at us even if operations involved in shifting crocodiles from one lo- he was in the water. He seemed to give us more excation to another. That was quite an adventure in itself! ercise than all of us put together gave him. Anyway, One day Rom and Harry decided to shift the largest the Croc Bank, after ten years, nally felt it was time to male Gharial in the Croc Bank from one pit to another nd a him bride. Since he had on more than one occaas it had broken its upper jaw in a ght with another sion bashed his head against a wall sensing a female in male during the previous breeding season. the opposite pit, we knew he was ready! The rst female we caught was about to be thrown Normally you try to catch a croc by throwing a sort of a small anchor in and when the croc latches on to into his pit when I asked to examine her. (I had just it you try and pull it out. Once it is out, about 10-15 learnt how to sex them). I began to feel inside the people quickly jump and sit on it. (Thats the only way crocodile and felt a hemipenis! "Its a male," I shouted. to prevent a croc from getting back into water!). With its "Cant be," said Gerry, "let me check." After a few secmouth bound by rubber bands, the croc is then rolled onds there was a reassuring nod from Gerry: "Yes, onto a ladder, bound to it, lifted and carried to the pit Rom, its a male!" that it has to be transferred to. An average adult croc is about 250 kg and about two to three metres long. It takes 15-20 people to carry it. "Rahul, Champion Sexer," cried Gerry. One cannot tell if crocs are male or female by their outward appearance. So, at the Croc Bank, after crocs

Once it is released in the pool the ropes and rubber grow to a certain length they are sexed and markings bands are removed and the last unfortunate or brave are made on their scales. But workers can sometimes man, depending on how you look at it, makes a run for make mistakes while sexing small crocs. Thats perhaps his life over the edge of the pond onto the safety of dry how the error occurred with the rst bride we got for land. Jaws. I cant imagine the plight of the poor chap had As we were transferring the male Gharial into a fe- he been put in the pit with Jaws. He would have been male mugger pit, Harry jokingly yelled: "What do you turned into minced meat in minutes. think we will get-a Ghammer?" Of course crocs only After that episode we physically examined every mate with others of their own species and there is no supposed female we caught to be doubly sure of not way a Gharial and mugger will get together. We were making any error and found that most of the supposed in fact transferring the male here in order to give it a females turned out to be males! By then, most of the period of rest and recovery from ghting with other crocs had run into the deepest part of the pond and we males. had hardly any crocs to choose a female from. Rom Another time the exercise was because Jaws III suggested chasing the females out of the water onto the needed female company. Jaws III is the biggest cap- land, but thats not easy at all. So he came up with antive salt water crocodile in India. He is about 16 feet other idea.

CHAPTER 10. CROCODILE DUNDEE

42

We got some iron gates and tied them together with the wild and also due to their high survival rate. In a thick mesh net over it all. Then we had to wade into the wild, at the most, one or two survive out of the the green water with the net in front of us. This would 30-35 eggs as many are lost to predators, etc., but here effectively push the crocs from the deep water onto the due to articial incubation, special enclosures, etc., a land. But the best of plans can go haywire and, instead, large number tend to survive. Therefore the croc bank the reverse started happening. The crocs from the land has stopped all breeding of this species which meant started coming into the water colliding with those be- that we had a surfeit of eggs for breakfast! We used to ing driven out by us. Thereafter there was general com- scramble the salty eggs and nish them off with sauce, motion in the water and all the crocs started thrashing although a larger number used to be sent raw for the about. One almost got my neighbours hand. I could monitor lizards breakfast. feel the crocs at my feet through the iron mesh that I I sometimes went snake hunting with the Irulas. The held grimly onto. However we nally accomplished Irulas are tribals that are expert at snake catching. They our dangerous mission and when we had driven a suf- formerly caught snakes for the snake skin industry. Afcient numbers onto the land we were able to select a ter the ban, they went out of business and found it difcult to make a living because they did not own land and Imagine Jaws surprise when he saw a companion did not know how to cultivate elds or do any trade at after all those years. She was exactly half his size in all. After the croc bank opened they were back in the length and width. Perhaps he was just very excited business they excelled in, but this time it was to save or maybe it was due to a normal state of male aggres- people and snakes with snake venom extraction. sion, we dont know, because he just caught the hapCarrying only a crowbar and a few cloth bags, they less female croc between his huge jaws and thrashed would set out, overturning every bush and digging any her about. "Croc barbecue is delicious", said Tharak ex- hole that showed signs of a snake in it. Their crowpecting the poor creature to perish any moment. For- bar had three uses, namely: (1) to shine light into the tunately or unfortunately, his wish was not fullled. burrow; (2) to dig the hole and (3) to handle the snake. The female survived although with quite a few bloody During my outings with the dark, short, curly haired marks. Thereafter she kept her distance from the wa- snake hunters, we caught striped keelbacks, ratsnakes ter as any sane creature would, avoiding Jaws like the and also black scorpions. plague. Apart from snakes the Irulas also caught rats. These Much later, when I visited Croc Bank a second time, rats, which destroy crops and elds, build their burit was the breeding season and there were a few nests to rows within the bunds. After catching the rats, the Irube excavated everyday. Each nest would occupy about las would take away the rice which the rats had stowed the space of a medium size basket. Each egg was at away and cook it to eat with the eld rat meat. These least three times the size of a hens egg and they usu- outings were long, hot and tiring but I found them ally numbered around 30 to 35. Every female-and each nonetheless enjoyable. one of these measured from about 2 m to 3.5 m-would The Irulas also taught me a lot about snake handeterminedly guard her nest, refusing to budge when dling. I learnt to handle the four poisonous snakes of we tried to chase her into the water in order to clean the India (the "Big Four", i.e. Cobras, Common Kraits, Ruspit. mugger crocodiles at the Croc Bank partly because they sels Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers) and also Pit Vipers and Snakes were kept in mud pots that were placed in the There is now a problem of excess population of the Pythons. breed twice as much at the croc bank compared to in snake room (no different from an ordinary bedroom). female for Jaws.

CHAPTER 10. CROCODILE DUNDEE

43

Outside, a board merely announced: Danger: Snakes in much the same way that some people collect troLoose. This was done to discourage intruders. But phies. Although this may appear quite a foolish thing really speaking, snakes were let loose only under su- to do and perhaps it was too (some of the bites were pervision. There was a small canal of water outside to quite painful), one good thing did come out of all those prevent ants from entering the room. (You may not be- bites. I have no paranoid fear of such bites any longer. lieve it but ants can reduce a snake to a skeleton.) Next, I am very careful when I handle reptiles and take all there was a little space outside the room and about 1 to the precautions that I have been taught but I know that 2 metres after, a smooth wall, about a metre high. I used I would not be terror stricken should I get bitten and to remove the snakes from their pots, put them to drink would know what remedial steps to take. water in the canal and then clean the pots. During this Apart from my practical studies, there was a huge liexercise I would take the opportunity to improve my brary at the Croc Bank where I would browse through skills at handling the snakes. Basically one has to hold several books on crocs, snakes, monitors, turtles, the the tail with one hand and control the snake using the works. It was always with great pleasure that I would snake hook (a long stick with an iron hook at the end) search for information about something that I had with the other. learnt or seen that day. And the best part is that alBites! Thats practically the rst question anyone though I didnt have to memorize the facts for any exasks me when I talk of my croc bank vacation. Did I amination, nothing of what I read has gone out of my get bitten? Yes, several times, mostly by accident. But head. sometimes I allowed myself to be bitten just for the And then, there was always time for fun. Someheck of it. I recall once when a ratsnake gave me a times I would go to Harrys house where Tharaq and bite on the nose. I tried to prevent Rom seeing it but I played music or recorded songs. Other times, I would he found out soon enough by the blood on my shirt. watch a movie at Roms. There was time for barbecues A bite from a ratsnake is not painful but it bleeds like of eld rats, froglegs, frankfurters, parrot sh, chicken a leaking tap. "Dont worry, Rahul," Rom said cheer- and beef, rounded off with chocolate cake. The beach at fully, "the venom will not take effect for another half an the back was for swimming during the day and catchhour." (Ratsnakes are non-poisonous.) ing crabs during the night. Another time I was getting a picture taken of myself One of the interesting happenings at the time that I with a baby crocodile when it turned round and bit me. was there was the arrival of a lm team from the magThat was quite bad! Imagine a sawing machine run- azine National Geographic to lm the King Cobras at ning over your hand. But I was cool, and happy that I the Bank. I became one of the many hands-on they had had been bitten by a crocodile! for the job: I would assist in various ways like holding Then I was dumb enough to try the bite of a wall the ash, helping with the setting up of shots, catching lizard that Gerry had caught to feed to his pit vipers. and re-catching the frogs as they scampered off during The scar, still on my hand, reminds me also of the che- the numerous retakes. quered keelback bite I got in Pune (the one which got so bad that I couldnt wear my watch for a few days). One lazy afternoon Tharaq suggested a haircut for me. My hair was by then really long. In fact I had not And on the last day of my stay at Croc Bank the red- put a scissor to it since the beginning of my sabbatieared turtle which I was taking away as my gift and cal. So now it stood nearly at shoulder length. He told souvenir from Croc Bank bit me so bad that I could see me he had one and a half months experience in hair my esh and I could barely use my hand for a few days. cutting. I was thus persuaded to take up his offer of a Now when I look back I think I was collecting bites "free" haircut in the "latest style". I explained in great

CHAPTER 10. CROCODILE DUNDEE

detail to Tharaq how I wanted it cut and he nodded Then he started to work with the scissors, cutting and shaving here and there. When he announced that he had nished he produced a mirror and I looked into the face of an unrecognisable Rahul with a hairstyle of

44 Three species of crocodiles are found in India, 1) the Gharials-which are sh-eating crocodiles; 2) the Muggers; and 3) the Salt-water crocodiles. The biggest and the most dangerous of all crocodiles

attentively making a few suggestions here and there. namely:

triangles sitting amidst shaved parts and a long strand in the world is the salt water crocodile, which can grow of hair in the front. I looked crazier than any rock star! upto 25 feet. It is the only crocodile that can live in the It was only then that I learnt that Tharaq did not know sea for a long time. The Nile crocodile of Africa is yet the ABC of haircutting, much less hairstyling and that another deadly species. Fossils of three other extinct he had just had a great time experimenting on my head. species of crocodiles have also been found in India. Anyway I decided that now was a good time to try These cold blooded animals have evolved with diout the "bald look" and so I got to a proper barber and nosaurs millions of years ago and are more closely rehad my hair shaved off completely. It was truly liberat- lated to birds than to snakes or reptiles. Being cold ing. I took several pictures of myself at this time with blooded they control their body temperature by seekthe reptiles at the croc bank to remember my days here ing shady, sunny spots or different levels in water. They and also to record for posterity my new look. often bask with their jaws open, which probably helps I felt truly sorry when it was time for me to leave them to keep cool. Croc Bank. I promised everyone that Id be back soon. Their eyes, nose and ears are positioned in a straight I carried a souvenir with me-a red-eared turtle (which I line along with head and snout. They have good eyestill have) and some turtle eggs. sight and a good sense of smell, and can hear very I travelled through the night on a bus to Bangalore. well. Their tail is very strong and helps them in swimAt my foot was the turtle in a box and I had left a small ming. They have a very low metabolic rate and thus opening for her to breathe. Suddenly I noticed that the need to hunt only every few days. They can decrease turtle was out and was already making for the door of their metabolic rate and stay under water for a long the bus. I quickly caught her and put her back without time. Alligators have been known to stay under water any of the sleeping passengers noticing it except for a for upto 6 hours. They do not make any unnecessary dear old lady who smiled and said, "Dropped your wa- movements but can move very fast even on land when ter bottle, son?" necessary. Small salties can gallop at a speed of 48 kph for short distances.

Field Work Notes:

Crocodiles

Crocodiles are found in large and small rivers, lakes, mangroves, and in brackish and fresh water. When a baby crocodile hatches, it is just about three quarters of

Living millions of years before man, but today facing a foot (25-30 cms) in length. In a few years it matures extinction...with many myths about them and very lit- into an adult. Maturity depends upon size rather than tle known about their nature. Many are considered on age. Generally males mature slower than females. dangerous. None are considered useful. Who are these lizards. world. In the wild, a female will take between 5-7 years to take longer to mature; about 8-10 years for the female Madras Crocodile Bank, females mature in four years creatures? They are called crocodiles, alligators and mature whereas males will take 9-11 years. Gharials There are 21 species of crocodiles and alligators in the and 12 years for the male. In captivity, such as in the

CHAPTER 10. CROCODILE DUNDEE

and males in ve.

45 the strongest survive and thus maintaining a healthy

The average size for maturity for a Mugger is-male (2 population and keeping up the genetic quality of their metres) and female (1.6 metres). Males of Gharials and prey species. Salties mature at three and a half metres and females at three metres. In the dry season, wallows and tunnels dug by crocs provide essential water for other animals, turtles and

Mugger crocodiles breed in between February and sh. Many animals depend upon crocs for food for e.g. April. Salties breed in April and Gharials between the the sacred Ibis and monitor lizard will eat the eggs of last week of March to the second week of April. the Nile crocodile. Crocs are also exceptionally resisBreeding depends on environmental conditions. In tant to disease and thus may be of great use in medical the breeding season males often ght for the right to research. court with several females. During courtship each pair may blow bubbles, rub noses, raise their snout and periodically submerge and re-emerge. Different species show different courtship displays. Gharials, for example, often court each other by making a loud buzzing sound. Mating occurs under water with the male mounted on top of the female. The average gestation period is between 35-60 days. The gestation for a Mugger is 35-40 days and for Gharials and Salties, 40-65 days. The temperature at which eggs are incubated and the moisture content of the environment (humidity) inuence the sex within the embryo. Crocodiles will either dig a hole about 30 cms deep or pile up leaves to incubate their eggs. They sometime splash water on the nest to control the temperature. In mugger crocs, females are exclusively produced at constant temperature of 28C through 31C. At 32.5C only r r r males are produced. Both sexes in varying proportion are produced at 31.5 to 33C. r The female guards the nest. At the time of hatching the young start croaking so the mother (sometimes even the father) digs open the nest. Then she cracks some of the eggs with her teeth to set free the young and carries them to the water in her mouth. The adult crocodiles continue to guard the young until they are about 5-7 months old. Crocodiles have many uses in natures ecosystem. They help keep the environment clean by eating the carcasses that would otherwise rot. They capture the diseased, wounded and weaker prey thus letting only

Chapter 11

Learning to Teach
January brought fresh experience for me and it hap- me off easily; if the people were not in station at that pened entirely because of Hartman de Souza. I was to time or, if the names suggested were not from Bangareturn to Goa via Bangalore and since our good friends, lore, I had to write to them instead. I wrote numerous Hartman and Ujwala, live in Bangalore and had ex- letters as a result. The general purpose of this activity pressed willingness to accommodate me, should I need was that I should get an idea of what options were there a place to stay for a while during my sabbatical, my for me if I decided to pursue a career in wildlife evenparents suggested that I spend a few days there before tually. Bing also suggested that I should try to nd out returning home. I was to stay at their place, sight-see how and why these people decided to take to environBangalore if I liked and inform my parents as soon as I ment and wildlife studies, whether they were happy in was ready to return. This then was the general plan. I reached Bangalore at 1.40 p.m. on the 7th of Jantheir choices and so on. Bing made several copies of an introductory cum ref-

uary. Bing (thats how we all call Hartman) was at the erence letter for me which I was to give to the people bus-stand to pick me up, with his car. We drove to his I was to meet. The letter, which was signed by him, house, me chatting away in reply to all his questions. stated that I had taken a one year sabbatical to explore At home there was Ujwala and their kids, Zuri and her wildlife which I had done for the past eight months younger brother, Zaeer. Also living with them at the and that I would like to have a small interview with time was Mrs Kalai who was Bings colleague at the In- the person concerned. I also prepared small questiondia Foundation for the Arts. naires to help me in the interviews. Bing would most After settling down to a good meal and generally re- often phone the person in advance and make the aplaxing, Bing told me that he had in mind a few peo- pointment for me. Sometimes he even reached me to

ple and institutions connected with my interest i.e., the place; at other times I went in a rickshaw. wildlife and that I should use my time in Bangalore to

The rst person I met was Mr T. Parameswarappa, meet them. I agreed to his suggestion, little realizing Retd. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. I reached that the people he suggested I meet would make their Mr Parameswarappas house at 11.45 a.m. I had an

a few days meeting, or writing to, various persons con- his ofce. Soon after he returned we began to talk, rst nected with wildlife in Bangalore. about my sabbatical and then about what I wanted to Bing is quite a hard taskmaster and he would not let do in the future. 46

own suggestions about other people I should meet and appointment with him at 12.30 p.m. However Mr when I would report this information to Bing, he would Parameswarappa was out and did not arrive home uninsist that I go and meet them as well. So I spent quite til 1.30 p.m. So I sat and looked at a couple of books in

CHAPTER 11. LEARNING TO TEACH

47

He told me that after graduation, one must answer a licence/permission for keeping wild snakes in captivcompetitive examination held by the Union Public Ser- ity. Pune Snake Park will know the procedure and if vice Commission. The students who are selected are you write to them they will give you all the details. trained and then posted to a forest. At the University Mr Parameswarappa proved to be a very friendly of Agricultural Sciences at Dharwad or Hebbal, a four and helpful person. Before I left I showed him copies of year course on forestry can be done after completing the letters which I had already sent to the Indira Gandhi pre-university. At the Wildlife Research Institute short Research Institute and to the Indian Wildlife Research courses may be available, he said, but after graduation Institute at Dehradun. long courses are denitely available. My second appointment was with Mr Arun I asked him some questions and I relate briey the Kotankar, one of the main persons running an orinterview I had with him: ganisation called Samvad which has a programme Rahul: Is it possible to have a ranger give you a pri- called SMILE (Student Mobilisation Initiative for vate guided tour within the Banargatta Wildlife Sanc- Learning) in Bangalore. I reached the ofce at 10.30 tuary? a.m. although my appointment was at 12 oclock. I Parmeswarappa: Im afraid not. There are only rou- showed him my reference letter and in a little while he tine safaris for visitors. But if you like you can meet sat to talk with me. Mr Venkatesh, Deputy Conservator of Forests and give him my reference. R: What is the condition of the sanctuary? there are good and bad points to all such activities. Mr Kotankar told me about the SMILE programmes in Bangalore. On Saturday afternoons they have an informal open house at Samvad. They watch a lm, est to students, like tourism, dowry, child abuse, sher-

P: It is a government initiative and as you can expect, have a debate or just talk on a specic topic of interR: Are there any unusual career courses offered in folks struggles or topics like marriage, love, education Wildlife? or parents. P: In India there are no privately run sanctuaries or Students also visit organisations working with dalzoos. Therefore any career in wildlife or forestry must its, tribals, women, street children, sherpeople, etc. be through the government. This makes it almost im- One can also learn environmental conservation. If the possible to have any rare or unusual career courses. Park? students cannot go to far off places and have to stay campaigns or undertake studies on local problems like R: What are the duties of the staff at the Banargatta back during vacations, they are advised to take up P: Their only duty is to see to the well-being of the an- child labour, environmental degradation, construction imals i.e. feed them and keep their surroundings clean. workers rights, etc. They do not study or do research on the animals. Conservator of Forests? What was your background? Shodhane which means search is a newsletter sure camps and they write about their experiences durR: How did you acquire this post of Principal Chief brought out by students who have been to these expoP: Like you, I had to study. I answered an examina- ing the exposure or generally about other social contion and got a job as a forest ofcer. Later I went to the cerns. One can contribute articles, poems, cartoons or US for two years and on my return I was appointed as stories in Kannada and English. I was quite interested Chief Conservator of Forests. venom extraction? to hear all that Mr Kotankar had to say about this orLater, I went straight to St. Josephs College where R: Is it possible to set up a Snake Park for doing snake ganisation. P: Of course it is possible. But one must apply for a according to the information Bing had, there were vari-

CHAPTER 11. LEARNING TO TEACH

ous environmental courses being conducted for college

48 At the end of the meeting Dr Gaonkar showed me

students. I met one of the clerks in the college ofce some books on butteries and some papers written by who gave me the information I requested and also a him on the subject. At around 1.30 p.m. I took leave of pamphlet listing the different courses one could take him and left for MES College where I had an appointafter graduation. ment with Dr Leela for the same afternoon. There I Two days later I went to meet Dr Harish Gaonkar at saw preserved dolphin tails and specimens of hammerhis house, at 11 a.m. Both he and his wife (who is Ger- headed sharks. man) were very friendly and I spent a lot of time talking with Mr Gaonkar who is a specialist on butteries. My stay in Bangalore also became very special because of the Times of India programme that Bing man-

I learnt from him that butteries are insects that are aged to arrange for me. The Times of India in Bangalore more closely related to plants than to insects. From the has a special section called "Newspaper in Education". number of species of butteries in an area, a butter- One of the programmes of NIE is to have workshops in y collector can also nd out the number of species of schools on varied topics. On the 20th of January, I went plants in that area. This is because each species of but- to The Times ofce on M.G. Road and after talking with tery will use only a certain plant/plants species. For the person in charge for sometime about what I had example, in Goa, there are about 250 species of butter- been doing during the past year I was asked whether ies, that means that there are about 900 to 1,000 plant I would take a few workshops in some schools over species in Goa. This information would be much more the next couple of days. Although I was not too cerdifcult for a pure botanist to give. Thus butteries are tain how well I would do this job I agreed because if an ideal medium for a botanist who wishes to have an there is one thing I learnt during my sabbatical it is that idea of the plant species in the locality. one should always give a try to anything new because Eggs are laid by the mother butteries in distinct things are not always as hard as they might appear to places on leaves to avoid predators from feeding upon be. So I said yes. them. They hatch within two to three days. The larvae My rst workshop was on the 22nd of January. I was will moult many times (on an average ve) to become a picked up by one of the organisers from NIE and taken pupa. During the pupa stage, it does not feed and after to the Srivani Education Centre where I was to speak to a few days it emerges as a buttery. It waits for about the students of Standard VIII. I was expected to speak 10 minutes to dry its wings in the sun and then utters for about 35 minutes and keep around 10 minutes for away. The whole process to become an adult may take questions or discussion. a period of ve weeks to two months. Then the butterdays, will lay only one batch of eggs. I was a bit nervous at rst but as the talk progressed y will live for about 2 weeks, and within the rst few and I found the students listening attentively I talked more freely. After these sessions were over I would be Moths are the ones that spin silk. No buttery spins dropped back home or to Hartmans ofce whichever silk. There are about 10,000 species of moths in the was nearer. After the rst few schools went off well world-much more than butteries. Some butteries and I became accustomed to the routine I found myand moths are poisonous e.g. the Crimson Rose, even self enjoying these classes. I was even more pleased to found in Goa. It is a buttery with wings and a red learn that I would be paid Rs.100 per workshop plus body. It also has red dots on its wings and black dots my travel costs. on its body. The smallest butteries are about a few about the size of two palms put together. For the talk I would start by telling the students ous places I had visited and the various things I had centimetres in size and one of the biggest butteries is about my sabbatical, how the idea came up, the vari-

CHAPTER 11. LEARNING TO TEACH

49

done so far. After that I would speak about two topics- Times I sent a copy to NIE and they too published it vermiculture and snakes-because I thought that these in their newsletter. Newspaper in Education has also would be of most use to the students. Vermiculture be- invited me to take more workshops whenever I am in cause they could practise this at home to process the Bangalore. garbage into compost and snakes because people have so many fears about them. Bangalore was very enjoyable in many other ways as well. One morning I went to a swimming pool with

When I talked about vermiculture, particularly about Kalia and got the shock of my life on jumping into the mixing cowdung with soil, sometimes the girls and water; it was freezing cold! I resolved never to try boys would nd it distasteful and would make jokes swimming in Bangalore in the winter again. about it or laugh at the idea and I would think that I ate out often especially during the day and tried these are city kids and they dont know anything about out various small eating joints (Bangalore has plenty of cowdung. But still I would continue to explain how a them), sampling South Indian food, vegetable cutlets, vermipit can be set up in their homes. milk shakes and so on. Of course, I constantly had to On snakes, I would rst give general information watch my purse, for my budget did not allow lavish about poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, and how eating. Sometimes I went to a book shop, sometimes to identify the poisonous ones. Then I would tell them I did small errands for Bing and Ujwala, and I recall what should be done if someone got a snake bite. I helping Bing with the cooking on at least two occasions would also discuss the various beliefs that people have and occasionally helping Ujwala with her garden. about snakes and which of them are myths. Depending like crocodiles, turtles or spiders. I also used to accompany Bing and Ujwala and their called Sanki Tank where I enjoyed motorboat rides and on the time left, I would speak about other things too, two kids on family outings. Once we went to a lake At the end of the class, I would show them croc then played with Zuri and Zaeer in a small childrens teeth, photos of myself with snakes, crocs, monitors, park. Another time, we all went to see a dance perforetc., and then my red-eared turtle that I always carried mance that I didnt understand too much about. Somearound with me in my bag. At this point there would be times we all just went out for a drive (I enjoyed these maximum excitement. Everyone would crowd around, rides best) and then would have ice-cream cones on the some would ask to hold the turtle and they would ask way home. questions about its eating habits etc. I would allow I must tell you how I learnt to eat vegetables. I have them to touch the shell and nothing more because the generally disliked vegetables as far as I can remember. turtle is very nasty and bites. In this fashion I took My mum tells me that she regularly fed me vegetables workshops at several other schools including National as a baby and we have always had one or two vegetaEnglish School, Sindhi School, St. Marys School, Boli- bles on the table at home for any meal. Still I would vian Girls School and Bangalore International School. I generally refuse vegetables and preferred to stick to sh usually spoke to the students of Class VII to X. At Ban- curry and rice, our staple food in Goa. galore International School however the workshop was for the students of Class III and IV. When I was starting on my travels my parents warned me that in several places the food would be A few months later back in Goa I was pleased when only vegetarian, and that did happen to be the case.

the postman handed me a registered letter from NIE, During the year I learnt how to eat all types of food at Bangalore which contained a cheque for Rs.1075, my different peoples houses. But I stuck to veggies I could full earnings for giving the lectures. Later when I wrote tolerate like cabbage and potatoes or I would eat the an article on my one year sabbatical for the Hindustan dhal and rice with pickles. I had still not started eat-

CHAPTER 11. LEARNING TO TEACH

ing vegetables like ladynger and brinjal. Bing found out about this when chatting with me and said that he hated anybody making a fuss about food. So everyday while eating he would put a huge helping of vegetables on my plate. Especially the ones I didnt like, like tomatoes, brinjal and ladynger. I would nish the vegetables rst so that I could enjoy the better part of the meal i.e. the meat or sh without having to deal with the veggies. But no sooner had I nished the vegetables, he would say: "Oh lovely, you like this vegetable? Have another helping!" and despite my protests I would get another huge helping of vegetable. In this way I would eat about three times the quantity of vegetables as I took the rst time before I nally ended my meal. Eventually, I stayed on in Bangalore for three weeks, returning home only on the 30th of January. I had not met my parents and brothers for nearly 3 months and was eager to share my experiences with them. Unfortunately when I arrived, I got just an hour or so to chat with my parents as they were leaving that very day for a 10-day stay in Delhi to attend the World Book Fair along with some of the staff from Other India Bookstore. So I had to wait till their return to regale them with my tales. But in the meanwhile there were my two younger brothers eager to know about my travels, my neighbours who hadnt seen me for ve months and of course my old pals like Ashok who were happy to welcome me in their midst again.

50

Chapter 12

You Have Sight, I Have Vision

I was at home for practically the entire month of keep all the pits going by putting waste into all of them February, partly because my parents themselves were from time to time and this way I could get experience away for nearly half the month and had asked me to on how the big and small pits both worked so that help in the house during that time. Also, I had to re- when people asked for such information I would readplan my programme for the last few months of my sab- ily have it. batical and some time was always needed for replies to be got from the people we had written to. So to start with I had to construct a vermibed. I began with the tank itself which was to be of brick. We I found that I had completed most of the things I had a labourer doing some odd jobs at that time at our had set out to do during my sabbatical though there house and he said he knew a bit about how to cement were a few areas like honey bees for which denite pro- bricks together, so he and I constructed this 3 by 2 by grammes had not yet been worked out. 4 high tank of bricks. We mixed cement and sand in I busied myself during this time with writing out some rough proportion with water. Within a day we those special essays of the past couple of months that had the bricks placed one over the other with the ce-

I had not yet completed (though my daily diary was ment mixture holding it all together. This was easy stuff I thought as I wrote out my record of how many bricks up-to-date and in perfect order). I also set up the earthworm vermicompost pit in our backyard. It was my dads idea that I should put into practice immediately the vermiculture that I had learnt, construct the bed. Next day, I dutifully wet the construction twice as in-

and the quantity of cement and sand we had used to

since managing garbage is becoming a problem in al- structed in order to have the cement set. Imagine my most all households. His idea was that once I mas- shock when on the third day I found that our entire tered the technique of setting up the vermipits by trial tank was shaking and ready to collapse. I rushed off and error at home, I could set the same type up with next door to my neighbour Guru who took one look at little variations if needed for friends of ours and later the tank and told me that we would have to take down for anyone who wanted this useful method of garbage the whole thing and start from scratch again. Apparmanagement. ently we had not used the right proportion of cement Dad suggested that I prepare a large vermipit which and sand mixture, or laid the bricks right. Nor had we would be suitable for any family having a large com- laid any foundation for the structure. Masonry was not pound like we have and also one or two small ver- that simple, I realized. mibeds which could be used by people living in ats I immediately got down to carefully removing each

who do not have lots of space of their own. We would brick without damaging it as the bricks were to be re51

CHAPTER 12. YOU HAVE SIGHT, I HAVE VISION

52

used. Guru, the expert mason, then came over to con- Bank and since Pondicherry is not very far from Mastruct the tank, and I helped. In fact, we built two tanks mallapuram I proposed to my parents that I be althat day: one large and one medium. I then prepared lowed to go to Pondicherry via Bangalore, complete the vermipits and Yesu, our maid, was instructed to the eye course there and then proceed to Croc Bank henceforth put all the household wastes (except paper where I could spend a fortnight or so before returnand plastic) into the pits, alternating between the dif- ing to Goa. This would comfortably keep me away ferent ones. during the month of March when my brothers would We also started vermiculture in a wooden crate. be studying for their school nals and I would return Eventually the crate was used as a seed bed and a ne in time to enjoy the April-May vacations when our crop of jackfruit seedlings was raised in the box. The cousins from Belgaum, Lucano and Ricardo, would join other two vermipits (of brick) function well, and all our us for a whole summer season of mangoes, jackfruits household waste is processed by the earthworms. At and umpteen picnics on the beach. the end of February, I was eager and ready to set out My parents approved of my programme and on the again. Although some contacts for the study of bee- 26th of February, I set out for Pondicherry. By now I keeping had been made by my dad, I was personally was quite familiar with the routes and did not need not very much interested in the subject. Crocs, snakes anyone to pick me up from the bus stops on arrival. and the wild had gripped me and I was longing to get However, I had phoned Bernard at Auroville earlier back to the Croc Bank. programme that I wanted to accomplish, namely to and made arrangements to stay with him at Auroville I travelled by an overnight bus from Goa to BangaI also had another totally unrelated and unconnected for the duration of the course. improve my eyesight by taking a course on eye care lore, rested briey during the day at Hartmans place and learning eye exercises at the Eye Clinic at the Au- and caught the night bus again at Bangalore bus station robindo Ashram in Pondicherry. arriving at Pondicherry at 4 a.m. There a cycle rickshaw I came to know of the Eye Clinic through Farida, one fellow managed to cheat me of Rs.40 by promising to of the resident staff at Croc Bank. I have been wearing take me to Auroville but instead depositing me at Auglasses since class IV when my mum made the discov- robindo Ashram which was more or less next door to ery that the reason I was not copying lessons from the the bus stop. blackboard was not because I was inattentive or disobeI had to get into another local bus to get to Auroville dient but simply because I couldnt read clearly from which was more than 10 kms away and after walking a the blackboard at all. Then came the visit to the oculist short distance was greeted by Bernard, whom I knew, and the mandatory spectacles. as I had met him some months earlier on my rst visit But I fervently wished to rid myself of these glasses to Auroville. I stayed free of cost at Auroville in a room ever since I heard that with eye exercises one can im- in Bernards quarters, sharing with him the meals he prove ones eyesight. In fact, I had begun doing eye prepared. exercises with Sister Gemma, a Medical Mission Sister I cycled twice a day from Bernards house to the who is associated with my parents work. I had contin- Ashram. At the Ashram, I used to do my eye exercises ued these exercises when I was at the Croc Bank, where and then return home. I did a total of 45 kms of cycling Farida seeing me at it, had told me about the Eye Clinic per day i.e. 360 kms of cycling for the nine days that I at Aurobindo Ashram where I could get proper train- was there. ing. The Ashram itself was an old building. Before you As I was also eager to return to my favourite Croc entered you had to leave your slippers outside and

CHAPTER 12. YOU HAVE SIGHT, I HAVE VISION

place a plastic tag, with a number, on them; another have a TV set at home. tag, with the same number, you carried in your pocket

53

After the course was over I was eager to get another

as you walked barefoot up the stairs of the ashram. The look at the Croc Bank and as per the prior arrangements place reminded me of a retreat centre with people in made on telephone I set out for Mamallapuram, once meditative moods and soft Indian classical music play- again, on the 7th of March. ing continuously. A funny, but expensive incident happened to me on The rst exercise was the most terrible one. I would the way. I got to the interstate bus station early that morning have just reached the Centre after cycling in the sun when honey drops would be put in my eyes. I then and waited till 8 or 9 a.m. for the bus going to Mamalhad to stand sweating in the sun with my eyes burning lapuram to arrive. I started asking around and eventubecause of the honey. (Honey is sweet on the tongue ally I was directed by a bus driver to the Mamallapuram bus. but burns in the eyes.) The next exercise would be struggling to read ne Before I could reached the bus a man dressed in a print in the dark with only a candle light burning. Next, conductors uniform walked towards me. "Where are one had to carry out the same exercise in normal sun- you going?" he asked. "To Mamallapuram", I replied. light, outside. There was an exercise involving eye "Come, come with me", said the man. We both got into movement through the use of a small rubber ball, then the bus, I took a seat and he put my luggage on the the reading of a chart with letters and words of dimin- overhead rack. "Ticket", he demanded. "How much?" ishing size in varying degrees, bathing the eyes with I asked. "25 rupees", he replied. I handed over the steam, much in the same way as inhalation is done, amount to him. and then cooling the eyes with cold cotton packs. FiShortly after the bus had started on its way, and nally, there was the colour treatment, where one stares to my astonishment, another conductor appeared and at bright colours reected over a lamp in a darkened started issuing tickets to the passengers. I explained room. that I had already paid Rs.25 to the other conductor Each exercise had to be performed a specic num- only to nd that there was no "other conductor", only a ber of times with small details like opening, shutting clever cheat who had taken me for a ride while the bus and blinking of the eyes controlled to the nest degree. was still stationary. I had to shell out another 18 rupees After I nished I would return to rock music on a walk- for my journey to the Croc Bank! What I found hard to accept was that the man was able to cheat me in front of man, on my way to Auroville. There was no charge for the 10 day course at the all those passengers sitting in the bus. No one thought Ashram but at the end of it I paid Rs.77 for the mate- to tell me that he was not the real conductor. rial needed to enable me continue with the exercisesThis time I stayed at the Croc Bank only for a week namely, 4 bottles of eyedrops, 2 small jars of honey, one as Rom, Harry and everyone else on the farm were rubber ball, two charts and two booklets with ne print. leaving for Kerala to continue with the National GeI benetted a lot from the course and within a month ographic lm programme and there was little else I or so, after regularly doing the exercises, I was able to could do at the Croc Bank with everyone away. read without spectacles. I still do the exercises, though not so regularly, and the best part is that after having been a regular wearer of glasses I now have to use my glasses only occasionally, like when watching TV or movies-which I do very rarely anyway since we do not

Chapter 13

Surveying a Forest
The summer vacation that year was great fun. My trees. The trees appeared to be cut with the use of an cousins from Belgaum arrived on schedule and since electric saw and tar was smeared on top of them to preno one had Board exams that year the holiday season vent further growth. Many logs were thrown nearby. It began in the rst week of April itself. We would enjoy was a tiring task and being the month of May, it was extwo whole months of the sea, swimming as often as we tremely hot and my shoes had begun cooking my poor could in the river that joins the sea at Baga. feet. Even if we saw a small path, Steven would insist One morning in May my dad asked me whether Id we go to the end. Jerry would sometimes complain, like to participate in a project that the Goa Foundation, "Steven who the hell do you think will go down there,

an environment organisation of which my dad is Ex- in that inaccessible valley, to cut trees?" But Steven was ecutive Secretary, was organising for college students. stubborn and would retort, "Jerry if we dont go down

were still forest, which areas had been cut down and by So we trudged down each and every pathway we saw, whom, which projects/constructions had come up, and howsoever narrow and unused it appeared to be. so on. The two students who had opted for this project

I agreed. The project turned out to be eld visits to there we will have it on our conscience that there was the forests in Betim in order to identify which areas a path which we could have checked out but didnt."

On the second day, I went on my bicycle to Betim. were Stephen and Jerry, both from St. Xaviers Col- We continued and we found another two illegal houses lege, Mapusa doing their graduation degree. I joined and a big tree cut, on the hill. This tree was also the team as an extra. smeared with tar. The exercise usually took the whole On the morning of the 20th of May, Dad and I set out morning and we would call it a day by about 2 p.m. or in the car for Betim. On the way we picked up Stephen so. and Jerry. Dad showed us the different spots in and around the area he wanted us to cover and then left. On the third day, my Dad and my cousin Luke joined us. We showed my father the different spots we had

Steven was the leader of the team. He had obviously visited, the places where trees were cut and the illebeen briefed by Dad on how we were to proceed for gal houses. Dad had brought along a camera which he soon took out a note book and started writing notes. he gave to Stephen to take photographs of the different I took my notebook and wrote down some names of patches of forest, the felling and the constructions. In birds. Stephen said that just in case anybody ques- some areas we found that re had been set to the area after the trees were cut and this had destroyed the scrub tioned us, we were to say we were birdwatchers! We found two illegal houses in the middle of the for- bushes as well. est and a huge clearing made by cutting a lot of big 54 I was glad that the fourth day would be the last, since

CHAPTER 13. SURVEYING A FOREST

by now I was quite tired of this assignment. I had a lot of thorn pricks all over my body and they had become little itchy swellings. My feet were also sore and the heat was killing. But I carried on, as the project was near completion. On the hill we found a lot of houses, several of them illegal, coming up in the forest. We also found clear-felled plots with barbed wire fences around. My part of the assignment was over that day and I received a small stipend for my work from the Goa Foundation. Steven and Jerry later prepared the project report with photographs and write-up. The report was submitted by the Foundation to the Forest Department. The department sent an ofcer to investigate the matter and also issued orders not to allow felling or constructions in the area.

55

Chapter 14

Chief Guest At Belgaum

A year had gone by since I had nished school and heartedly approved when he suggested my name as what an exciting year it had been. Having to go to col- I had done something quite unique during the past lege now seemed quite tame in comparison. But as I year; and the fact that my preference was in the eld busied myself with lling up the admission forms and of ecology made me an ideal choice, according to Uncle getting the ID card photographs ready another surprise Dileep. awaited me, and it came from a totally unexpected place. Of course I was delighted and accepted the offer. Who wouldnt be? Uncle Dileep said that all my ex-

I was invited to be Chief Guest at an Environment penses would be taken care of. I had an uncle (my Day function to be held in Belgaum on 5th June, World fathers youngest brother, Benjamin) at Belgaum, at Environment Day, where I was to speak on my experi- whose house I could stay. There was only my bus ticket ences during the past year. This was surely the crown- which the organisers had to pay for. ing event of my one year sabbatical. I started preparing my speech straightway as there The invitation came from Dileep Kamat who was one was only a week left to go and I knew that I had do a of the organisers of an environment awareness pro- good job as this was a big occasion for me. As usual gramme, which he and others in Belgaum had organ- I turned to my mum for help. She helped me choose ised for school children during the previous month. the points I would speak on, then I wrote out my entire The programme included painting and essay compe- speech which she corrected and I set about memorising titions. The concluding part of the programme was to it. be held on 5th June where the nalists would give their be given their prizes. Public speaking was not a major problem for me nor several school competitions and also represented my speeches and the winners of all the competitions would did I suffer from stage-fright as I had participated in Dileep, his wife Nilima and their son Partha are fam- school in inter-school debates. In fact, I had been ily friends of long standing and whenever Uncle Dileep awarded the Best Speaker prize in my nal year at comes to Goa he stays with us. As he explained, the school. Still, speaking at a competition was one thing purpose of the environment programme was to incul- and being the main speaker for the day was quite ancate the idea that one can do things on ones own and other. one has to think out ways and means for this. And

My mum gave me several tips on how to address the

so, he said, he had considered the idea of inviting a gathering, what I should do if I felt I could not rememyoung person, whom the students could identify with, ber the next line and so on. I rehearsed the speech sevto speak on the occasion. The Committee had whole- eral times at home and when I left on 3rd June for Bel56

CHAPTER 14. CHIEF GUEST AT BELGAUM

gaum I felt quite condent and well-prepared. ried with me in my haversack my red-eared turtle, and

57 be photographed holding the turtles. I also showed the The compere then announced that they would like to

Along with essentials like clothes to wear, etc. I car- croc teeth to those who were interested. another small turtle found locally in Goa, the croc teeth get on with the rest of the programme, but in view of and photos of myself at the Snake Park, the Croc Bank, the fact that several students wanted to ask questions, etc. a question-answer session would be held, after the proI arrived in Belgaum on 4th June and was met at the gramme of skits was over. I returned to my seat and bus stand by my cousin Lucano who took me straight watched the skits which were on the theme of ecology. to his home. That evening Uncle Dileep came to our After that was the prize distribution ceremony and house, briefed me about the next days programme and I was called up to the stage to hand out prizes to the when he left he took with him the photos which he said winners of the various competitions (elocution, as well he would put up on exhibition at the hall. The next day Lucano took me to the venue at 3 p.m. as dramatics and drawing which were held earlier). After this, the organisers allowed questions from the

The function was held in the school hall. There were audience which I answered on the spot. I was quite children from several schools already there along with happy to nd that the audience had heard me attentheir parents. I noticed my photos put up on a card- tively for there were many questions both from stuboard on one side of the hall. My uncle Benjamin and dents and adults. Most of these concerned information aunt Grace and my other cousins also came for the about snakes. From this I gathered that snakes not only function which began at 4 p.m. The hall was quite full frighten people but fascinate them as well. The funcwhen I entered. I was seated in front with my cousin tion ended at around 6.30 p.m. Before departing, the organizers gave me an envelope containing Rs.300 which Lucano next to me. The programme was compered by one of the stu- more than amply covered my expenses for the trip. Uncle Dileep invited Lucano and myself for dinner dents. It began with the prize winners of the elocution competition delivering their speeches-one in En- that night. On seeing that he had an interest in keepglish and the others in Marathi and Kannada. Then ing the small turtle, I happily left it behind for him. one of the students introduced me to the audience and I Next morning I was pleasantly surprised to nd that was called up to the stage to deliver my speech. I spoke one of the local Kannada papers had reported the prein English and initially had to halt every little while vious days function and there was a photograph of me for Uncle Dileep to translate what I had said into Kan- at the function and a report on it as well. I was thrilled nada. Fortunately, however, after a few rounds of this beyond words. English-Kannada speech it became obvious that the auLater I wrote an article on my one year sabbatical dience did not need the Kannada translation since they for the Hindustan Times which appeared on the Youth all understood English quite well. Then it became eas- Page together with a couple of photographs and was ier for me to continue and I nished with great con- pleased when my parents told me that several of their dence and was roundly applauded. friends had read it and had complimented them and As I had done in the workshops I had conducted in me for this bold and unusual step of taking a break the Bangalore schools earlier, I then took out the red from studies. The same article was eventually carried eared turtle which I carried around for the audience by several other newspapers and magazines including to see at close quarters while my cousin took around The Utusan Konsumer in Malaysia. a local turtle which those who wanted could handle. In my speech at Belgaum, in the workshops I had There were many students and parents who wanted to conducted at Bangalore for the school students and in

CHAPTER 14. CHIEF GUEST AT BELGAUM

the article I wrote I always recommended at the end of my presentation that every student ask their parents for a break from regular studies when they nished school as it is something they would never regret. And I wish to repeat here, at the end of my book, that June 1995 to June 1996 was the most wonderful year that I can ever remember. I learnt a lot, not only about the things I wanted to learn, but about many other things as well. And best of all I had a lot of fun and a whole lot of freedom to do all that I ever wanted to do. I certainly look forward to another sabbatical! And so, by now, should you!
1

58

1 This work was converted into e-book format by volunteers of the India Linux Users Group (Goa) www.ilug-goa.org and www.ilug-margao.org. It was efciently done using the Free Software project called Lyx. We encourage authors to convert their work into e-books, both so as to discover the power of Free Software (free as in freedom) and also to encourage the sharing of knowledge and information. Converted by FN.