Know your heart...

By B Jayakishore

It is really alarming. Our lifestyle in cities like Bangalore has changed drastically. Though you find yourself fit, unknowingly you are in the verge of falling prey to one or the other ailment.

Days are passing in such a furious pace that we never know how our body systems handle it! However, now we have already accepted living with ailments like diabetes, Blood pressure, Asthma, Hypertension etc. In fact, all these have become our companions! Now it is the turn heart ailments.

Recently, when I had a chance to chat with Dr.C.N.Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva heart centre, Bangalore, he revealed another shocking phenomenon. Incidentally, it is total U-Shift from the way in which our elder generation was lived.

'If we go back to early 70's or 80's, there was a time when younger generation would bring their elders or parents to hospitals for heart treatment. But today the situation has been reversed. Now elders bring their young children of the age 25plus to hospitals' said Dr.C.N.Manjunath.

Shockingly, nowadays not only elders of above 50 are vulnerable to heart diseases, but also younger generation of the age group 20to 40 are vulnerable!

Reason: Stress, Work pressure, drastic change in lifestyle. Appalling revelation is that out of total heart related cases reported every year in India, 45 percent of which are of the people aged below 40!

Interestingly, Jayadeva heart centre alone admits about 200plus heart patients each month. It is very disturbing to note that out of these around 60to 70 patients are below 40! Till 1980 these were only 5to10. But in recent years this has been raised to 40 percent!

According to WHO study, Asians are more vulnerable to heart ailments as there are some genetic factors attached to it. Even Dr.Manjunath agrees with this. 'Indians are genetically different than people in the other continents. Add to this, influence of western lifestyle, food culture are also reason for such a transition' he says.

Let's have a look at the statistics. Currently around 30,000 to 40,000 heart disease cases were reported in Bangalore alone. A many as 75,000 Angioplasty cases were reported every year in the country, while it is around 4500 in Bangalore.

Bangalore is growing very fast. Growth has its darker side too. Today Inflow of people in search of 'Living' also has been increased many fold. This has resulted in spurt of slums. Because the people of these areas do not keep their surroundings clean and most of the time about 10-15 people living in a tiny hut like structure has resulted in increase in the cases of Rheumatic vascular diseases. When a person gets affected by this, his blood purification system and valves which control the blood flow will get damaged.

There has been remarkable transition in lifestyle in urban India in recent years. Upper class people are under more profession related stress than it was five years ago. In addition to this, lack of exercise, bad habits, uncontrolled junk food intake have also contributed for the increase in the cases of heart ailments in younger generation.

Interestingly, there was a time when we were all under the impression that heart ailment was a 'Rich man's disease'. ‘But gone are the days when only lazy and rich gets heart ailments. Now the same reasons are applicable to middle class and lower sections of the society’ says Dr.Manjunath.

However, to keep you fit and away from heart ailments, Dr.Manjunath has some tips.

*Exercise Regularly.
*Control cholesterol content in your body.
*Keep a watch on eating habits of your children.
*If you are above 25, please undergo treadmill ECG test once in a year.
*If you are diabetic, BP patient then regular treadmill ECG test is a must.

So, know your heart before it 'Breaks' you. Keep it fit.

Evolution of wisdom...

By B Jayakishore

Well, what you can see in the picture is a 60 years old vermicelli making machine. This equipment is one of the remainings of our good old traditional wisdom has been practiced by our ancestors in olden days.

Till recently, this apparatus was operational in my sister’s house at Bangaradka in Puttur, DK. The equipment has got long wooden cane, one end of which is fixed against the wall perpendicular to it with a suitable arrangement. This cane can be moved upwards and downwards vertically with one end fixed to the wall perpendicular to it.

The Body of the cane is connected to piston like structure through a T shaped support, which moves to and fro in a small cylinder situated below, has got several holes at bottom.

After filling boiled rice ball in the cylinder the cane is pushed downwards, and when piston goes into the cylinder, vermicelli comes out of the holes.(See picture)

Today most of the homes have modern handy devices, made of metal. But this apparatus was completely made of wood.

However, traditional equipments like these tell the story of evolution. How the wisdom has evolved...? etc. Certainly, these are our treasures of knowledge. What do you say?

Adike Patrike, Shree Padre and Awards!

By B Jayakishore

Yes, He is the same 'Water man’ of coastal Karnataka has made us proud once again. He was conferred 'Charaka Mentor Award' by Charaka National Development and communication Network and Communication for Development and Learning, On Monday July 23. Other two journalists Ravindra G Bhat (Prajavani) and Rajashekar Hegde joginmane (Udayavaani) were conferred the Charaka awards for their excellence in Developmental Journalism. I congratulate them as well.

Shree padre is a man with zeal. A Perfectionist, Straightforward, Creative, Dreamer with mind full of ideas. While talking to him I feel a strong Positive energy is invading me every time. Also a sharp 'Critic' by nature, however, his Criticism had incited many thoughts in me.

You know the secret? I'm sorry sir! I'm disclosing it! Whenever I visit my native place Puttur on holiday, I never tell that to Padre Sir! If he traces any hint about that, he will call me and say: 'Jayakishore...what are you doing? I have an assignment for you...come to Adike Patrike office!’-That is how Padre encourages enthusiasts.

If you submit an article, the care he takes to publish it is remarkable. He informs the 'Missed' points in it and asks to fill it. If not satisfied, he himself calls the 'Hero' of the story or person concerned to the subject on which the article has been written. Then he rewrites it and you can only see how the beauty of article has enhanced only in print. Frankly, I Never saw such an enthusiastic, hardworking and ever thinking Journo in my life.

Another Interested character I have noticed in him that is 'Depth and Detail' in whatever he does and writes. He says 'While writing a story or article ask questions to yourself. Be a farmer whenever you are with a farmer. Then only the ground realities will be revealed to you. What is the point in writing an article which doesn't even incites 'Thinking' in reader if not inspires'

Shree Padre has been striving hard to create awareness about soil and water conservation in Karnataka and Kerala by conducting workshops on the theme since a decade. It was Padre who started series of feature articles on soil and water conservation in Adike Patrike for the first time in the history of farm journalism in Kannada. He has written seven books on rainwater harvesting.

Congratulations sir! You have done it again. He can be reached at: yespee@gmail.com

Adike Patrike and Passing pen to farmers..: If we move back to early 90’s mainstream newspapers used to publish articles on farm subjects only if it was written by farm scientists, professors, industry representatives or so called ‘experts’. Frankly, these ‘DRY’ AC room articles are neither read nor understood by farmers. It never discussed ground realities or farmers actual experiences.

‘Adike Patrike’ a monthly magazine about farming and rural development published in Kannada from Puttur, Dakshina Kannada district has broken all the rules. Shree Padre is the man behind the concept. When severe crash in areca nut prices resulted crisis in Karnataka in mid-80’s, All India areca growers association based in Puttur attempted to search for solutions. It was then that Idea of starting a magazine took birth to represent the interest of areca growers. Since then ‘Adike Patrike’ has been creating an ‘Information revolution’ among farmers by passing pen to them!

It challenged the conventional style of ‘Farm Journalism’ in Kannada, It started publishing true, ‘On-Field’ experiences of farmers by fostering them to write their own experiences, ideas, views on particular farm subject or systems in a simple language, keeping in mind that the published information must have some ‘usefulness’ to their counterparts.

'Our farming community is still suffering from severe inferiority complex. During our 5th anniversary we received one letter from a reader, stating that ‘Now I feel proud to be a farmer’! This shows that we are not only provided information but also instilled confidence in him. This is the biggest compliment we have ever received. I think we have made our place in farmers hearts’’ says Padre.

Style of functioning of ‘Adike Patrike’ is also totally different. To publish a story, visiting the field is common practice here. Whenever a farmer sends an article on his experiences for publication, journalist from ‘Adike Patrike’ visits the spot to cross check the facts. Whenever resources do not permit long distance travel, they collect information through correspondence. ‘Some times this process takes very long. Even months! It tests your patience; But ultimately we feel great when an excellent, useful ‘Farmer interest’ story has taken shape’ says Na.Karantha Peraje, assistant Editor, Adike Patrike.

Awards..: Adike Patrike has even global connections! Robert Trip, a researcher from Dept for International Development, UK and Sophi Levlin, a PG student of Canada Gwelf University flew down to Adike Patrike to study the impact of ‘Pen-to-farmers’ revolution. Till today it got more than 18 state level and national level journalism awards. Recently AP has got another prestigious ‘L-RAMP’ award for excellence in media/ journalist category. On Monday, Padre was conferred Charaka Mentor Award, adding another feather to AP's cap. Obviously, winning awards has become more than a habit for Adike Patrike!

Contact Address: ADIKE PATRIKE,Bhat Building, Yelmudi,Puttur, DK,Karnataka: Ph: 08251-231240; E-mail-adikepatrike@gmail.com

More nutritive than an Apple!

By Shree Padre

India is the highest cashew producing country in the world. It produces 5, 73,000 tonnes of cashew every year. Normally, cashew fruit or cashew apple which often goes waste because of ignorance about its good qualities, weighs as much as 8 to10 times of cashew separated from it. If we go by this statistics, India produces nearly 45.8lakh tonnes of cashew apples every year!

Interestingly, cashew apple contains much more nutrients than an apple. Almost 4 times of Vit-C than an orange. An Adult requires 30mg of Vit-C every day. A glass of cashew apple juice definitely will serve the purpose. In addition to this it contains potassium, kerotin, calcium, minerals and B-vitamins in abundance.

But what is the use? Most of our cashew apples go waste after cashew was plucked out of it. It is indeed disheartening to see we are unable to encash the goodness of such a wonderful fruit.

Perhaps, first time in India, Tomichchan, a farmer, now an entrepreneur based in vaniyampara, Kannur district in Kerala has ventured into a new business of producing 'Cashew fruit drink'(Squash/syrup). Even though it is priced almost one and half times than other soft drinks; people's response was enthusiastic. Many of customers liked the product 'Tomco-Cashew apple drink'.

Interestingly, CFTRI, Mysore, Agricultural university, Bangalore, Agricultural university of Kerala are all have already carried out extensive research on preparation of 'Ready to serve'(RTS) drink out of cashew apple. Even several books, project reports are available. But nobody has taken interest in starting an industry to produce such products commercially.

Basically, we Indians lack entrepreneurship. Add to this, there are some hurdles as far as value addition of cashew apple is concerned. Some are purely technical; rest of course our own notions. Some people fear of alcoholic content in the fruit. Because of its mild 'Acrid' taste(Chogaru)or 'Throat itching character' and pungent smell, no one has thought of preparing mouth watering soft drink out it.

However, there are simple methods to eliminate this problem. One of these is boiling the cashew apple in steam. Due to which one cannot make out weather the drink was prepared from cashew apple! Therefore, I believe that there is a need to eradicate such wrong notions about the fruit.

Basel mission farms in Moodabidri, DK has been producing a special RTS drink from cashew, in which sugar, water, preservatives or any type of chemicals/agents are not used. Product can last for a year even without refrigeration. But once the 'Cap' opened, it must be finished that day itself.

'We boil the fruit in steam; by then it loses its 'Acridness'(chogaru) and real taste of cashew apple comes out' says L.C.Sones, owner of farm.'But no research institutes has taken this method seriously’ Adds sones.

In our villages, there are traditions of preparing juice concentrates out of kokum or mango. In the same manner people should be encouraged to prepare juice concentrates out of cashew apples as well. Nowadays we have so many women self groups indulged in business of such products. Awareness about 'Cashew apple' juice should also be created among these women.

Ranjith pawar, a food expert from BAIF, Nasik explains such a success story. In the sindudurga district of Maharastra, thanks to efforts of konkan kaju samuh, families of shashikanth palav, milind somale and such others are have been preparing cashew apple drink for their household use for many years.

It's happy to learn that cashew research centers in Ullal near Mangalore and Puttur also will be conducting workshops for interested, on preparation of value added products from cashew apple soon.

Not only technology and subsidies are sufficient for the success and growth of agricultural based industries. But also, there is a need of support from pro farmer institutions, which should instill confidence among entrepreneurs. Considering this Tomco is indeed a remarkable step as far as boosting morale of farming community is concerned. Kannur Agricultural University, which backed such a pro-farmer venture, certainly has made a historical move.

(Courtesy: Adike Patrike. Translated by B Jayakishore)

Jashn-E-Azadi:Story of freedom in Kashmir

By B Jayakishore

On Friday it was a pleasant chat with Sanjay Kak, film maker from Shrinagar, Kashmir. He was in Bangalore for screening of his film 'Jashn-E-Azadi', a two hours and 19 minutes film which raises disturbing questions about freedom in Kashmir, while exploring the past and present situations at valley.

'Most of us believe that Kashmir issue has become only reason for 'India-Pak' rivalry over these years. But very few know that the reality is different than it was portrayed in media. In fact, Issue is not only related to the people of Kashmir, but also to the people of whole country. Heart breaking incidents, bloody struggle in the name of freedom (Azadi) is really alarming. Shockingly, on the day of independence i.e., on 15th August, nobody in the valley comes out of their home! It really incited me to find out reason for such silent protest. Also this is the question I have raised in my film ‘Jashn-E-Azadi'’says Sanjay Kak.

'Basically, Iam a Kashmiri. We have a home in Shrinagr. But I had left the place on 1980. After a long break, that is on 2003, when I went back to my home in Shrinagar, I was strucked to see the empty streets of Shrinagar on August 15th which happens to be our independence day!'

'I never saw a single celebration in anywhere in the valley, other than government flag hoisting ceremony which completes at around 9.30am. It haunted me like any thing that people here are protesting silently for some reason. Later I understood that they have all decided to not to participate in Independence Day celebrations until the permanent solution for the Kashmir issue is sorted out'

'I found it Interesting. Whole world knows Kashmir issue as mere Indo-Pak conflict. But in real it is much more than that. My film is an attempt to understand the silence'

'I started shooting for the film in 2003 and completed it in 2007. Obviously, I faced some problems while shooting in the valley as there is no much freedom for media. Nobody dares to tell you truth there. Instead you encounter questions like 'Who are you? Why should I tell you the truth...' says Sanjay.

'Also you are not allowed to shoot ‘ALL’ there. But ultimately the freedom lies with you to tell the truth, which you have understood with what is available to shoot' he adds.

'First screening of my film was held at Delhi. After that it was at Shrinagr. The response was awesome. Some people had tears in their eyes! Which really gave me immense satisfaction over my work as a film maker'

'After Shrinagar, screenings were held at Patna, Shillong, Guvahati, Nasik and other places. Media also gave good support because of which my film reached the audience who are really concerned about the issue. I have even created a blog called www.jashneazadifilm.com, which went on receiving as many as 20 thousand hits! I have a plan to make it as a full fledged website, through which interested can buy DVD's of my works. I think such measures are important nowadays to make these type of ventures self supportive rather than writing for grants'

Sanjay Kak has been making documentaries since 1983. 'Kinor ke log' was his first documentary. The film ‘Words on water’, on Narmada issue was screened at Brazil environmental festival.

'Today with technology has become 'Handy', Producing a documentary film is not a cumbersome task. Within one and a half lakhs you can have good digital camera. Post production works can be done in desktop computers'

'Well, nowadays there are several funding agencies which give post production grants for your work. Only thing you need to do is to send a DVD with rough cut of your work. I have received grant from Jan-vrijnan fund, Holland. They even screen your film in International Documentary film festival (IDFA) which is held at Amsterdam in every November'

ಕಾಯದ ಮಾಟ

ನನ್ನ ಕಾಯವ ನಾಳೆ ಕರಗಿಸಿಬಿಡುವೆ
ಪ್ರೀತಿ ದ್ವೇಷಗಳ ಬೇರ್ಪಡಿಸಿ
ಯಾತನೆಯ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳನು ನಾನಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಳ್ಳುವೆ
ಎಲ್ಲ ಸವಿನೆನಪು ನಿನಗೆ ರವಾನಿಸಿ

ಖಿನ್ನತೆಯ ಕಂದರವ ಈಗಲೇ ದಾಟುವೆ
ನಿನ್ನ ಕರೆಯದೆ, ಶಬ್ದರಹಿತ ಕಣಿವೆ
ಹಾರುವೆ ಬಿಡು, ದೂರ ಹರಿಯುವೆ
ಕಲರವ, ಜುಳುಜುಳು ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ

ಭಾವಕೋಶಗಳ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಖಾಲಿ ಮಾಡುವೆ
ಒಳ-ಹೊರಗೆ ಹನಿ ಬಣ್ಣ ಇರದಂತೆ
ನೀನು ದಾಟಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಹರಡಿದ ಮಂಜು
ಕಂಬನಿಯೂ ತಟಕ್ಕನೆ ಬೀಳದಂತೆ

ಕನವರಿಸಲಾರೆ ಈ ಹಗಲು - ರಾತ್ರಿ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ
ಒಂದಾಗಿಬಿಡುತ್ತೆ ಕೆಲಹೊತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ
ಕಾಯುವ ಆಟ ಮುಗಿದು ಕಾಯದ ಮಾಟ
ಹರಿದುಬಿಡುತ್ತೆ ಚಣದ ತುದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ.

-Poem By BELURU SUDARSHANA. Which really touched me. I thank sudarshana for allowing me to publish it in my blog. Thank you sir!
http://www.mitramaadhyama.co.in/

Create 'Permissive' atmosphere:Dr.Prabhu

By B Jayakishore

It was a great evening on Tuesday as I had a chance to meet Dr.Nagabhushana Prabhu, Director, Molecular Engineering Laboratory James J.solberg, Head and professor, school of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, USA at National college, Bangalore.
He is the first indian to head the department in this college, which is ranked No.2 in the US, as far as undergraduate programmes are concerned. Which has also produced several bright minds who run organizations like UPS,Microsoft,IBM and such others. Dr.Prabhu was here to inaugurate the 3oth Science festival, which is being held at Bangalore Science Forum, National college.

Interestingly, He is not persuing what he'd studied! Dr.Prabhu was a Bangalorean, was a student of National college, Rank holder in SSLC and has secured his B.tech in Computer science from IIT Bombay in 1988. For the degree he has, he could have got a well payed job and life could have been nice. But his passion for research in Basic sciences has made him today what he is.

After doing his B.tech degree, he moved to USA and shifted his subject from Computer science to physics! He carried out research in 'Theoretrical physics' in Massachusetts Institute Of Technology(MIT) in 1998. After that he followed his dream and recognized his passion for Mathematics and done his phd on the same subject in Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Newyork. He is also interested in Operations Research. Currently he is involved in the study on developing a technology to identify the cancerous cells causing breast cancer, so that the sample cells can be just taken out from the breast through needle, without operating it.

He says:'Educational background doesn't decides one's capabilities. So, creating the 'Permissive'atmosphere to explore one's abilities which might one day can become contribution to the development of the nation is important' Excerpts from the interview.

How do you find the difference between educatinal systems in India and America?

Well, Being spent 20 years in US, I find educational system is totally different in US than in india. For instance, take the procedures for admission to professional colleges here. If you want to get into IIT, only criteria is to get good scores in JEE or it is CET in the case of engineering colleges in Karnataka. If he doesn't do well in these, he is not given opportunity to persue the course even if he is capable of it just because, he was not able to get good scores in JEE/CET. I really question the system, where in whole future of a person is decided on the basis of mere three hour examination, rather than looking into his other abillities and accomplishments.

In US also we do have a test called SAT(Scholastic Aptitude test) for admission to top universities. But this is only part of the admission proccess. If a person proves his competency or ability in certain aspect, he is eligible for admission eventhough he scores less in SAT. What I mean is, in US, while admitting a student to a university, importance is not given only to examination scores, But also to his performances in other activities and accomplishments. Simply put, There a person is decided only on his overall accomplishments. Not only on the basis of marks.

Interestingly, there even a high school students are also into research works! We don't have such a permissive atmosphere in india. I saw a 11th standard student who got very low score in SAT, but he has solved a mathamatics problem in such a way that eventually it became a resarch contribution! So, if a student has such accomplishments or competence, there he can be admitted to universities.

So, I advice that atleast 10-20 percent of the seats in our professional colleges should be set aside to encourage the students who are extremely talented, but somehow fared poor in examinations. If our admission procedures are modified to give importance also to creativity,talent etc, then no doubt india can also become leader in scientific research in the lines of advanced countrys.

How the talent recognition can be done to promote the research in Basic sciences?

I say, glamourise science by conducting 'National level competitions'. In US we have Intel science and engineering competitions for those who are interested and has passion for Basic science. These kind of competitions are the forum to talented young minds to showcase their abilities to world. They should be given opportunity to persue their dream.

I pity that, Even though able persons like Dr.A.H.Ramarao, who has got ability to conduct such competitions and even if he does it we find no participants here! Who will participate in such things when there is no hope or promise of good life out of it? So, there is urgent need to make system to be more 'Permissive' so that atleast interested can persue their dreams.

In US we have National science foundation which gives small grants for explorary research works. For instance if anybody has a crackpot idea, and needs some seed capital to start research, he can directly approach the foundation. It gives as much as 1000 dollors initially to start the project. No hassles to get money if his idea is really worth it. Probably these are the important lessons we have to learn from America.

How indian scientists feel about America?As you aware, now it's reverse braindrain happening...

Well, Reverse brain drain may be true in the case of Information technology. But not in the Basic sciences. In this field opportunities are plenty and much bettter in America than in india. America is most fertile climate for basic research I believe. Many indian scientists also feel it is much 'Easier' to carry out research work there.

How can we inculcate scientific temper in rural india?

I think Television is the strong medium to reach rural india. Added to this are Internet, cellphones and and other communication tools can be useful in transmitting knowledge to rural india.This is already happening.

But still india is lagging behind in scientific research field, even if it's economy is booming?

Ofcourse, It will take some time. But as I said earlier it's already started. India has made impressive stride in every aspect of development in recent years. It is now an emerging economy. That is why I stress on need for creating more 'Permissive' atmosphere.

Being a kannadiga what is your say on teaching science in Kannada? Can we meet global competence by learning it in Kannada?

Well, I pass this question. I don't want to get into language politics! Iam not qualified to answer this question..ha..ha..ha...

How do you feel about Bangalore now?

I think Traffic is littlebit heavy here. In Westlafayatte, city in America where i live, once witnessed a traffic jam. That had became a 'Big news' there such a way that even TV crew had come to cover it! But Bangalore is Bangalore. I love it very much. I feel 'Fresh' here despite it's pollution,vehicle traffic and all only for it's greenary. I even appreciate peoples concerned to preserve the greenary. That is why, I believe, Bangalore has still remained 'Green city'! As far as land value is concerned, it is far more expensive here than in America. Land value here is fast becoming beyond reach.

Can you share some sweet memories of your days in National college?

Oh! I owe it all to National college what Iam today. Though I could have settled with good job offer after finishing my B.tech,it never influenced me. Always I chose to do what I liked. I believe in chasing dreams and achieving it. I learn't it in National college, probably one of the best schools in the world.

What is your message to 'Young minds'?

I advice them what I was adviced. Believe in what you do. Recognise what you really enjoy and in what you are really good at. It's upto you for to recognize your your power, passion and potential. Success won't come easily. Strive hard for nurture your talent. Have perseverance. When your intention is genuine, resources are not at all an issue. Chase the dream. Let it be your personal journey. Obviously, It is difficult. But it will fulfill you and your life.

How they shit in space?

By B Jayakishore

I Often wonder how Astronauts deal with 'Natures call' in space? While in the earth urine or solid excrets moves out of the body due to gravitational force. But in the space, where gravity is absent, I really wonder how they manage?!

How Asronauts shit?: According to NASA information, It has developed a distinctive kind of toilet system for the use in space. Generally space station toilets resembles those used in earth. But the way the user sits above the 'Basin' is different to tackle weightlessness.

The toilets in the space station have special type of 'Holding Systems' which holds thighs and legs of astronaut to keep him in required position and prevent him from floating in the atmosphere. Compleate system operates on a vaccum. Hence tight seal is the must. Toilets are also equipped with 'Sucking system' to carry waste away from the body.

After sitting in position with the help of holding devices, they switch ON the sucking fans. When solid excret starts coming out of the body, sucking systems suck them to move it away from the body. For sucking purpose compressed air/fan system is used.

In space, air is very precious. So, the air which is used priorly to 'Suck' is filtered once again to remove odour and bacteria from it and then returned to the cabin/compressor for next days use! The human waste which is collected is stored on board in tight sealed Alluminium bags and disposed only after landing.

The urinal system has a flexible hose with attachable funnels. On board each astronaut has been given seperate funnels, which has different shapes for men and women. Here also compressed air or sucking fans are used to suck urine to carry it away from the body and collected in 20litre cans.

Interestingly, collected urine is distilled to create purified water! Such water is pure enough to drink also! But very few astronauts use it for drinking purpose. So, most of the recovered water is used to extract the oxygen out of it to add it to space atmosphere.

Present International space station has Russian built toilet system, cost of which is mommoth 19 million dollors! i.e., Rs.78 crores approximately..!!

Look how astronauts bath in space. They wash their body with wet wash clothes. This is called 'Sponge bath'. This is identical to the bath which we do it for the people in earth who're seriously ill.

In weightlessness condition astronauts cannot even brush as we do in earth. So, instead they use
'Swallowing type of tooth paste' to clean their mouth. If can't able to swallow it they spit it to the towel as it is not even possible to spit in space!

Ooops!

Sunitha, you are really great!!

'Chilipili Cheela' Steals lad's hearts!

By B Jayakishore

The process of learning becomes more effective when it becomes enjoyment rather than punishment. It is the fact that most of our rural children are facing foundational problems in learning the language due to lack of scientific approach in the regular curriculum.

But is there any supplimentary methods to make children learning more creative, informal and enjoyable? Isn't it possible?

The combined efforts by the Promose foundation and National institute of advnced studies(NIAS) made this possible. Moreover, this was the main intention behind the unique project called 'Chilipili cheela'.

Chilipili cheela is a distinctive kind of project to make rural lads to learn kannada in a more enjoyable manner, visualised by the Language Development Programme team from the Promise foundation and NIAS, Bangalore, as a small part of a larger project called Kannada Kalika Kosha.

Chilipili cheela is a set of creative kannada learning cards for children in classes three to five. The development of these cards has been supported by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust,Mumbai and Sarva shiksha Abhiyan, Karnataka as part of the District Quality Education programme(DQEP).

Chilipili cheela: The chilipili cheela is a set of 101 cards with which lads can learn the kannada language in a more enjoyable manner, which in turn stimmulates their imagination power, creative instintcts. Each card has text of kannada poems, essays, short stories and dialouges to comics on one of its sides. In the other side it has series of pictures/ illustrations pertaing to text. The cards are graded for children at different levels of kannada reading.

According to project coordinator Dr.Sonali Nag, 'Using chilipili cheela, children can learn the language happily of their own without much adult supervision. As each card has beautiful illustrations for the text it has, which makes childrens to learn the subject quickly as well as grasp the matter more effectively'

Initially, children will be given the cards with simple content. As they progress and start developing vocabulary in their mind, more complex cards are given. 'Interestingly, the cards also have many language exploratin activities. These range from art and craft work to speaking and listening activities, and from different writing and comprehension activities'says Prof. A.R.Vasavi, NIAS.

Over the past three years,the promise foundation and NIAS have worked on conceptualizing, devoloping, implementing and monitoring an innovative kannada learnig programme in chamarajanagar district. 'During this time we have learn't that most of the government school children donot have access to reading material other than text books. We felt there is an urgent need for children to have variety and fun in the materials they read. We know that more children read, more their reading skills will improve. When they become mature readers, it will boost their writing skills as well' opines Dr.Sonali Nag.

Chilipili cheela can be treated as a tiny library inside the classroom, and children can have access to it to learn during their free time. Since the settings in the stories and texts in the cards are 'Localised', children won't feel alienated. They learn what they see around. Also, cheela has set of cards which contains story/text set in urban contexts as well, which will introduce children to a world that they have seen in television or through other media. Some cards have even fantasy contents.

In most of the rural primary schools, reading activity has become mere 'Mechanical'. Most of the time children don't know what they are reading! But 'Chilipili cheela' make them understand what they are reading and can give spark to their thinking proccess.

'Our Pilot project, which we carried out in 28 schools of chamarajnagar district, has received a positive response from the children. They enjoy cheela. They often ask their teacher for the cheela! For example in Kolipalya Ashrama shala, near chamarajnagar town, children ask for the cards to read after school hours. The teacher also encourages children to pick cards whenever there is free time. The Headmaster of Kolipalya Ashrama shala, S.Basavanna says -'Chlilipili cheela keeps children busy and happy'' Says Dr.Nag.

However,cards replicated with 'Localised contents' can be used in other districts as well. The chilipili cheela has been written by a team of twelve writers and is illustrated by a team of three artists. The project has been coordinated by Dr.Sonali Nag, Associative director,Promise foundation and a team of three teacher trainers K.Latha, Roopakishen and Mahendra.

'Sarva shiksha Abhiyan, which supports the project in the state, can take it to the other regions as well' hopes Prof.Vasavi. The project was formally launched by Dr.Kasturirangan, NIAS director.

For more details:
Visit-http://www.thepromisefoundation.org/ OR

http://www.iisc.ernet.in/nias/site/vidya.html

Telephone:080-2218 5122(NIAS)/080-2571 1129 (Promise foundation).

Where exactly the chappal bites?

By Shree Padre

Recently while discussing with a foreign lady about actual cause behind agrarian crisis, who is aware of hardships faced by our farmers at grassroot level, I said- 'Poorly formulated policies are the main reason for the crisis'

She replied instantly without any hitch -'Of course, farmers are not law makers here; then how can their interest be taken care of?'

However, I don't have much knowledge about countrys where farmers are involved in law making, as for as agriculture is concrned. But I can assure you that our great politicians, buerocrats and such others, who rule us donot have even drop of knowledge of hardships our farmers. Moreover, they don't even bother about such issues. When such is the situation, how can they really solve the miseries? Isn't it like a 'Fake doctor' treating a patient?

Let's take an example of farmer's suicides. As soon as central government announced the 'Suicide-package' to vidharbha region, which witnessed highest suicides in these 14 years, some politicians demanded same type of packages be announced to respective regions to which they belonged to. But nobody knows how far these packages met the needs of families of victims. Nobody has not even shown interest even look into this aspect of the issue.

Whenever a 'Team' from central or state governments do visit the drought or calamity affected area, It turns out to be a jolly picnic. They come in AC car, stay in posh inspection bunglows in the expense of 'Inpspection or Study'. But had our government ever thought of involving some farmers who are aware of ground situations of the region they belonged to in such teams?

We have been hearing a lot about crop insurance, rain insurance and such several schemes in recent years. But when these schemes really failed to cater the need of a farmer, nobody was there to listen his woes. I ask, Is there any farmer who is truly benefited by such schemes in a farmer friendly manner?

Let's come to Agriculture research sector. According to renowned farmer Bhasker save, -'We have as many as 150 agricultural universities in our country. Most of them have thousands of acres of land and equipped with state of the art laboratories, staff etc. Above all, they all have enough fund to function. But no university is making profit out of its resources or even growing food crops in their allotted land. Every year it produces hundreds of so called 'Agri scientists' who could misguide our farmers and would propagate 'Destructive knowledge' to farming community'!! I really pity, case is not different with Agri-Reasearch institutes as well.

In our system, a person (so called scientist) who even doesn't know 'Chappals do bite sometimes' and where exactly it bites decides the needs of a farmer! They don't even show a courtesy to involve the farmer in the researches by inviting him to the research council meetings and such other activities. Some times they do; But only for namesake! So, most of the time our 'Agriculture research' does not serve the requirements of a farmer, as our scientists are only interested in delivering 'Scholar oriented' researches rather than farmer oriented.

As we all aware, Agriculture is facing severe labour shortage in our region. Even this is the case same with our agriculture research centres aswell. But had they have devoloped any farmer friendly techniques/technologies by which farmer can overcome from the crunch? No. Even if, It was developed by a farmer himself as per his needs or by the private companies. To where our Agriculture research is heading?

I agree that there are some people in these institutions, who really interested to hear the difficulties of a farmer, also makes honest efforts to solve it. But in the most of the cases it becomes only 'One man show'! As a part of a 'System' it becomes very tough for him do some 'Honest' work.

It's pity that our 'System' failed to deliver when it comes to farmers need. As a result a holistic approach to address the the problems has always remained a distant dream.I want to make it clear. 'Our farmers don't want half baked 'Research recommendations'. They need researches which are sustainable, serves farmer's needs, should increase the his standard of living,meanwhile should take care of soil-water-ecology. Thats it'!

Agricultural research should become the combined effort of farmer and scientist. Farmers should be involved in the research by conducting it in their own farms(on farm trial). When farmer-scientist model of research becomes reality, the outcome will also be obviously farmer friendly and more trust worthy. However, this should not become generosity shown upon farmers. It is the need of the hour.

(Courtesy: Adike patrike. Translated by B Jayakishore.)

(SHREE PADRE has made impressive strides in farm journalism. He is from Vaninagar, a village in Kerala bordering Karnataka. A farmer by profession,he had been the Chief Editor of Adike patrike, a unique magazine devoted to farm journalism since 18years. At present he is its Executive Editor. Iam greatful to him for allowing me to publish his editorial article from AP. Thank you sir!)