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For better days, farmers go the rope way
Phuldei: A local festival with Roman roots
Thefts at IIT Faculty stunned
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Best of Rajasthan on display
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For better days, farmers go the rope way
Dehradun, March 13 Conquering rugged terrain and hostile weather, gravity ropeways carrying goods in wooden boxes across one end to the other are becoming a familiar sight.This has brought some relief to farmers who need not unduly worry about their fruit being perished. Despite announcements, the government has failed to provide connectivity using ropeways with projects mired in red-tapism. However, things are brightening up for the farmers, mainly due to the efforts of non-government organisations. Farmers of Naugaon block in Uttarkashi are using the ropeway technology extensively ushering in a sea change in their lives. “We had to trudge several kilometres and sometimes our fruit got perished due to delay in delivery. Now our problem is almost over,” said Phulak Singh Negi, a farmer from Dhari Kafnaul area in Naugaon. In 2007, the Himalayan Action Research Centre (HARC) unveiled a rural technology promotion project to lessen the burden of hard-working farmers. A gravity ropeway has been installed in Dhari Kafnaul for transportation of fruit and vegetables from high altitude areas to an area accessible by roads. “The task was accomplished with financial support from the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, New Delhi, through the Rural Technology Action Group (RTAG), Dehradun, and technical support from scientists of the department of industrial and mechanical engineering of the IIT Roorkee. “The total cost towards installation and construction of the ropeway system was around Rs 7.28 lakh. Prior to the implementation of the project, we undertook a study of ropeway technology in Himachal Pradesh,” said Chhaya Kunwar, senior programme coordinator, HARC. Not only does it make sound economic sense, but the ropeway technology is also energy-efficient and environment-friendly. When compared with other transport methods, such as road or rail, the impact is low on environment.The technology is based on the optimum use of gravitational force in the absence of any external power. The gravity ropeway consists of two trolleys that roll on support tracks. A study says that a gravity ropeway uses about half the power used in the traditional conveyor system.The efficiency in terms of energy, pollution and low maintenance is unmatched. Villages falling under the Naugaon block were specifically picked for technology intervention as farmers here have taken to cash crops in a big way. Not only is the Rawain valley popular for organic pulses, but the farmers are also growing fruit like apples and other citrus fruits as also seasonal vegetables. But due to poor transportation facilities, the farmers were not getting good returns on their produce. This area was selected for installation of a ropeway after intensive discussions with farmers. “In order to organise the farmers and introduce strong marketing and production linkages, before the start of technology intervention, a farmers’ federation called “Devrana Valley Fruit and Vegetables Producers Company” was formed by the NGO,”explained Mahendra Singh Kunwar, secretary HARC. Today, as a result of this effort, the fortunes of the federation are on the rise. It is marketing 2000 tonnes of local produce (fruits, vegetables, millets, pulses) annually. With the installation of the ropeway at Dhari Kafnaul, the transportation cost for carrying produce from high areas to the roadside has been reduced by half. Before the launch of the ropeway, the farmer had to pay Rs 50 for transporting 80 kg produce from Ludogi to Dhari Kafnaul and it took three hours to bring the produce to the roadside. “Now with the help of ropeway technology, 40 quintals of produce can be transported within an hour. The cost has come to around Rs 20 on every 80 kg of
produce. “We have immensely benefited from the technology. We no longer have to worry about ‘spoilage and rejection’ of our fruit and vegetables. Earlier, it would take six days to load a truck with fruit or vegetables and send it to the market. “Now farmers are sending a truck of potatoes and apples daily without any loss to quality,” said Jayendra Rana, president of the Devrana Valley Fruit and Vegetables Producers Company. More than 2,000 families are now happy that they invested in a technology that is paying them rich dividends.The farmers produce roughly 1,000 tonnes of apple and potatoes annually “In the first year, 4,800 cartons of apples were transported through the ropeway and in the second 5,200. To keep the system going, the federation charges the farmers Rs 5 “The collection is utilised for payment of honorarium to two prsons who run the ropeway,” said Sankli Dev of Kalogi village in Naugaon block. The ropeway has also reduced the burden of womenfolk as it is also being used to ferry manure and fodder. Before the ropeway, women had to carry manure to their apple and potato fields.
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Phuldei: A local festival with Roman roots
Pitthoragarh, March 13 According to Dr. Yamuna Dutta Vaishnav ‘Ashok’, a historian, in the ancient Roman culture the festival of spring was devoted to the goddess of flora, which used to be celebrated at the beginning of summer. “As the solar calendar of Romans has been adopted by hilly people here, the month of chaitra is considered the first month of New Year and the Phuldei is the first day of the solar year,” said Dr. Vaishnav. On this day, unmarried girls move from house to house, singing traditional songs to welcome spring and offer white and yellow flowers at every doorstep. Girls wish happy and prosperous New Year to every house they visit. “By offering flowers at every doorstep girls wish their brothers be prosperity and that they could always return to their house happily after marriage,” said Vaishnav. In exchange of good whishes villagers give them rice, jaggery and some money. At the end of the ceremony, youngsters prepare special prasad from the rice they got and distribute it in the whole village. The beginning of spring has special significance for ancient Kumoani community. During this season the evergreen rhododendron comes into full blossom with so many other plants also come into full bloom. The oak in higher reaches in mid Himalaya and Sal (soria robusta), Bouhinia (kachnar) in the valleys come into full blossom. In the valleys of western Himalayas especially in the Pauri region this festival is celebrated throughout the month. The folk singers of Kumoan celebrate this festival by visiting each house and offer them good wishes through dance and songs. Chaitra also has a special significance for the newly wedded girls here. These girls get New Year gifts from their parent and brothers and many of Kumoan folk songs also has a mentions about the custom. The cherry flowers dominate the Kumoani villages in the season. —
The writer is a freelance journalist
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Thefts at IIT Faculty stunned
Roorkee, March 13 There has been two thefts in a fortnight, making a mockery of claims on tight security at entry gates. Last Wednesday, the thieves took away cash, jewellery and other expensive goods from the residence of Madhu Sudan Gupta, a lab superintendent with the civil engineering department. The family was away to celebrate Holi. A few days back, someone stole over 24 brass nozzles of the fire extinguishing system at the in-house service station. The cost of the nozzles is over Rs 50,000. The police has arrested four persons in this connection. Thieves have targeted four houses of members of the teaching faculty and taken away cash and other expensive articles in the last six months. A professor said: “It is difficult to understand how the thieves manage to get away as the gates are manned by guards round the clock. This needs to be looked into. One cannot rule out connivance with anti-social elements.” Interestingly, the institute has been spending lakhs on private security every year. Most members of the faculty said they lived in constant fear of thieves. This was affecting their day-to-day lives. Taking serious note of the growing menace, security in charge (IIT) Prof VK Gupta said: “We are concerned at the increasing incidents of theft. Instructions have been given to security officials to check suspicious persons and check vehicle, especially during
the night”
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Another bird count begins from June 8
Dehradun, March 13 As many as 15 groups will be undertaking 34 treks between June 5 and June 8 with a maximum of five birders in each group that would include at least two students. While each trek will cover a distance of 10 km, participation of the local village youth and government school students has been ensured this time. An orientation and debriefing workshop will be held on June 5 and 8 at Dehradun. The highlights will be an encounter-rate baseline data generation and conservation awareness activity involving urban and rural youth. Each group will conduct a 30-minute workshop with village elders to generate a list of vernacular names of the bird species found in different river valleys. Prateek Panwar of ARCH says some of finest birders of the country are likely to participate. The Uttarakhand forest department will be assisting ARCH
in the conduct of the census proceedings.
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Best of Rajasthan on display
Dehradun, March 13 Beautiful bandani printed suits and saris, Rajasthani wall hangings, wind chimes and Lac jewellery in varied patterns are affordable, and are preferred by women of all age groups. A wide range of traditional lahenga choli with mirror work is also pulling a huge crowd. “Bandani, chiffon, lahariya patterned suits and saris and our ethnic jewellery pieces are a huge hit here,” said Yogesh Sharma, a stall owner. Suits and saris starts from the range of Rs 175 and goes up to Rs 2000, whereas bangles and earnings are just for Rs 100. “We have been here from last one month, and we plan to be here till March 20,” said Mohan Lal, one of the organisers. “We are from Jaipur, and as a part of Rajasthan
Vyapar Mandal, our main aim is promote the culture of Rajasthan through such fairs, and at the same time provide market to
the artists,” said Mohan Lal.
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Dehradun, March 13
Pitthoragarh, March 13
Handmade Rajasthani items displayed at the ongoing exhibition here are attracting people in large numbers.
“Due to Holi, people in the city were quite excited, and took lot of stuff as gifts,” said
Sarawjeet, one of the organisers of the exhibition. Beautiful bandani printed suits and saris, Rajasthani wall hangings, wind chimes and Lac jewellery in varied patterns are affordable, and are preferred by women of all age groups.
