Plastic Kills

Posted on February 10, 2014 by nandan

Baba

We have always been hearing about how plastic is a serious threat to our planet, but not many people seem serious about the issue. Especially in India, where there is plastic just everywhere—even the blessings at temples are packed in plastic. The government does all the propaganda by making laws that plastic should be prohibited, but nothing is implemented. Just like anyone else living in this country, I am also affected by plastic, but something happened a few days ago which just blew my mind. Actually, I met someone new in my life a few weeks ago, and we became really good friends. A few weeks ago, I was sitting at Assi Crossing, and suddenly a bullock came to me.

Baba with Rahul

He was very cute, just came to me like we had known each other for a long time, and put his face over my lap. I started stroking him, and he seemed very relaxed by me doing it. Suddenly, a few of my other friends also came, and the bullock behaved very friendly with them as well. We offered him some food, but he didn’t seem to be very excited about eating it. Anyway, we named him that same evening, and his name was Baba. Baba was with us for almost an hour, and then we went back home. We saw Baba the next day at the same place where we had met yesterday.

Now we noticed something strange in Baba’s body. His stomach looked kind of bigger than his size. We tried to touch it, and it seemed very tight. We decided to ask someone who does dairy business if Baba’s stomach looked strange to him as well. Luckily, there is a dairy businessman right at Assi Crossing. We called him and asked what he thought about Baba’s stomach. Based on his experience, he said that Baba had eaten a lot of plastic, and that’s why his growth had stopped, he didn’t feel like eating, he was not happy, and if something was not done soon, then he might die as well.

We had also noticed some problems—that Baba seemed hungry but he could not eat. He seemed bigger in age than his physical growth. All of my friends were very sad to hear this, and we decided to contact some doctor. A friend of mine who owns a cow contacted the doctor, and the doctor said if the plastic had been in Baba’s body for a long time, then the only possible way to take it out was an operation. Baba was not in good shape at all. We noticed that he was becoming more and more skinny every day. We were still discussing what to do with Baba, and suddenly we saw his dead body by the corner of the street where we used to meet.

It was very sad to see him dead, and I don’t really think that we will ever forget him. But by looking at what happened with Baba, we can easily imagine what is the condition of our animals in India, the country where each and every form of life is worshiped. Talking about Varanasi, this city had a tradition of setting up big containers at every corner of the alleys, which would be filled with water and food by the locals of Varanasi so that street animals could stay happy and healthy. But now the situation has become really worse, and our street animals are dying by eating garbage which is mixed with plastic.

I have no hope from the government, and I think the only way to solve this problem would be some initiative from the people themselves. But it also seems very complicated because whatever we get is always packed in plastic, and it has to go somewhere. Usually, people put their garbage on the street from where it should be collected by the municipality. We also don’t have any system of separating the garbage, and everything is mixed. I think the best thing would be to use as little plastic as possible. I don’t know when things will change, but I will try my best to change myself for sure.

Baba Dead

RIP Baba.

Interview with Mr. Rajendra Singh

Posted on August 12, 2011 by nandan

I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Rajendra Singh, a renowned water conservationist often referred to as the Waterman of Rajasthan. He is one of the distinguished members of the National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA), the apex body formed by the Government of India to oversee policies and programs for the rejuvenation of the Ganga. I met him during my visit to his NGO, Tarun Bharat Sangh, where I was undergoing training on the ecology of rivers, with a special focus on the Ganga.

Mr. Singh is widely celebrated for his pioneering work in reviving several rivers in Rajasthan through traditional water harvesting techniques, most notably the construction of small check dams called Johads. His grassroots approach has transformed arid regions, restored groundwater levels, and brought entire river systems back to life. Over the decades, his efforts have influenced water conservation projects across India and inspired policies on community-led river management.

During my time with him, I recorded two interviews. The first focused on his critical perspective on why the Ganga Action Plan, launched in the 1980s, turned out to be a complete failure. The second explored his thoughts on the ongoing work of the National River Ganga Basin Authority, where he emphasized the importance of genuine community involvement, scientific planning, and strong political will. It was a truly enriching experience, and I felt honored to document his insights on issues that are central to the future of India’s rivers.

Rajendra Singh talking about the complete failure of Ganga Action Plan-

2nd interview of Mr. Singh where he talks about the National River Ganga Basin Authority-

Environment training at Tarun Bharat Sangh

Posted on August 5, 2011 by nandan

Wall Paintings at the TBS Office

I recently had the special opportunity to visit Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) and receive training on environmental issues, especially rivers, directly from Mr. Rajendra Singh. He is a member of the Ganga Basin Authority and has also been involved in the Coca-Cola issue in Varanasi. My colleague, Mr. Nandlal Master, who leads the Coke movement in Varanasi, introduced me to him. Mr. Singh was deeply concerned about how the Government of India was handling the Ganga. He strongly advocated for a proper river policy, greater transparency, and active community involvement. I share his belief that communities must be directly involved in nonprofit and environmental projects.

wall paintings at TBS

Our Group at a TBS Work Site

Mr. Singh wanted to start a campaign in Varanasi and needed support from local communities and organizations. He asked Mr. Nandlal Master to mobilize people, and Nandlal requested me to organize the boat rower community. Together we arranged two meetings between the boat rowers and Mr. Singh. Seeing our dedication, he invited us to attend a five-day training program at TBS in Alwar, Rajasthan. We formed three groups of five participants each, including boat rowers, my team, and members of Nandlal Master’s NGO.

My whole group

TBS funded our train travel and provided lodging and food during our stay. On arrival, we were welcomed by Mr. Kanhaiya Lal Gurjar, the General Secretary of TBS, who had been entrusted with our training. Our sessions included both classroom learning and site visits. The first session introduced us to TBS, its work, the local geography, and its people. What fascinated me most was their success in reviving five dead rivers by educating communities about traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable water use.

A Small Dam Called Johad

Mr. Gurjar explained that these rivers had dried up because communities had forgotten their own ecological wisdom and had become dependent solely on government systems. TBS built small dams called Johads to ensure water remained in rivers throughout the year. To instill responsibility, they asked communities to contribute 25 percent of project costs, even though TBS had enough funds to cover everything. This model helped create a sense of ownership and accountability.

small dam calld Johad

This River Has Water All Year

The Johads not only restored rivers but also recharged groundwater. People living far from rivers started finding water in their dried wells again, which strengthened support for TBS. Villagers from distant areas began approaching them to replicate the model. I found this approach inspiring and even used a similar system in the Chance India Program, which worked successfully.

This river has water all year long

Such Pools Once Dry Are Now Full of Water

Of course, challenges remained. Without accurate maps, TBS first had to conduct extensive surveys of ponds, wells, and canals before deciding where to build dams. With this data, they developed strategic plans. The emphasis on combining traditional knowledge with modern planning was eye-opening.

such pools used to be dry but now they are full with water

Community Money is Always Involved in TBS Projects

In ancient times, communities were careful in their water use, adjusting irrigation depending on rainfall. For example, in years of low rain, they reduced water usage from wells. Today, such practices are disappearing, with people even growing water-intensive crops like rice in unsuitable areas. Mr. Gurjar emphasized that education and awareness are essential if we want to prevent misuse of water resources.

community money is always involved in TBS’s projects

Mr. Gurjar Explaining a Site

For three days, Mr. Gurjar took us to project sites. I was amazed to see rivers full of clean water, often in remote areas without roads or human settlements. The sheer dedication of TBS left a lasting impression on me.

Mr. Gurjar explaining a site

Mr. Singh Training Us

Finally, Mr. Singh returned, and we spent two days learning directly from him. His first class on river ecosystems felt like a blessing; I left feeling deeply informed. His second session was about the Ganga and the river policy he had been drafting. He spoke with incredible depth, knowing every tributary of the Ganga and its ecological importance.

Mr. Singh training us

Mr. Singh and I

We spent several hours in discussion with him. The draft river policy, developed through suggestions from thousands across India, was comprehensive and inspiring. He patiently answered all our questions. During the training, we also planted over 300 trees together on the TBS campus, which was already full of greenery.

Mr. Singh and I

Mr. Singh Training Us

After five days of training, I felt much more informed about river ecology, especially concerning the Ganga. The experience has motivated me to stay involved in this cause, and I would love to work with Mr. Singh and TBS again in the future.

Plantation

My Whole Group with Mr. Singh After Plantation

My whole group with Mr. Singh after plantation

Union Carbide Gas Disaster, Bhopal

Posted on April 20, 2011 by nandan

Union Carbide Gas Disaster

I recently visited Bhopal with my friend to explore the city and meet the NGOs still working on the Bhopal Gas Disaster that shook India in 1984. Before going, I had no idea about which organizations were active there, so I called my friend Nandlal Master from Lok Samiti in Varanasi. Nandlal is a well-known social activist, and he suggested I visit the Chingari Trust. He knew about it because the Trust awards women fighting against exploitative corporations, and five women from his own NGO in Varanasi had once been recognized by them. I assumed there would be several NGOs still working on the issue in Bhopal, but to my surprise, I learned that Chingari Trust was practically the only one consistently helping survivors on a large scale.

union carbide gas disaster

First Impressions

When I called, the Chingari Trust staff were warm and welcoming. They invited me to visit their office and rehabilitation center near the affected area. Initially, I expected a small office with a few staff members. But as soon as I entered, I was shocked—there were dozens of families, many of them with children born with physical and neurological disabilities caused by the gas tragedy and its after-effects. I saw nearly a hundred children, ranging from infants to teenagers, participating in physical therapy and rehabilitation programs. It was heartbreaking. Until then, I had assumed that only people directly exposed during the 1984 disaster were affected, but I discovered that children are still being born with disabilities due to lingering chemical contamination.

wall paintings around factory are

The Work of Chingari Trust

The work being done at Chingari Trust left a deep impression on me. The organization was founded by Rashida Bee and Champadevi Shukla, two women who themselves suffered from the gas tragedy. Rashida Bee even received a major international award of around Rs. 50 lakhs in San Francisco for her activism, and instead of keeping the money, she used it to establish Chingari Trust and donated the rest back to the cause. Their center provides physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling to affected children free of cost. Despite their efforts, Rashida Bee told me they are struggling to meet the overwhelming demand and are now working on building a new hospital dedicated to survivors and their children.

families with the affected kids

Contaminated Water – The Ongoing Disaster

Later, I spoke to the IT coordinator at the Trust, who gave me a tour of the surrounding area. He explained that the tragedy didn’t end in 1984. The factory site continues to leak harmful chemicals into the groundwater, which thousands of nearby families still rely on. This contaminated water is directly linked to ongoing health problems and birth defects in the community. When we walked only ten minutes from the Trust’s office, I was shocked again. Families were living right across the road from the abandoned Union Carbide factory, now owned by Dow Chemicals. It looked like any other crowded Indian neighborhood, but beneath the surface, people were living with poisoned soil and water.

newpaper cuttings

Questions Without Answers

My American friend Lane, who was with me, pointed out that in the United States, factories dealing with such dangerous chemicals are usually built far from populated areas. It made me wonder: why did our government allow this factory to operate in the middle of a city in the first place? And even after the disaster, why didn’t they relocate residents to safer areas? It is impossible to avoid the conclusion that both Union Carbide (and now Dow Chemicals) and sections of the Indian government are equally responsible for the ongoing suffering. The politics and corporate influence behind this tragedy are undeniable, but the fact remains: thousands of innocent lives were destroyed and continue to be endangered. Accountability has been delayed for far too long.

Final Thoughts

My visit to Chingari Trust completely changed the way I understood the Bhopal Gas Disaster. This was not just an accident of the past; it is a living tragedy that still haunts the people of Bhopal every single day. Meeting Rashida Bee and seeing the resilience of affected families was deeply moving. The story of Bhopal is not only about corporate negligence, but also about government apathy. Until justice is served and proper rehabilitation is provided, the victims of Bhopal will continue to remind us of how dangerous unchecked industrial greed and weak governance can be.

really sad

he wsa trying to say something to me

Parrots

Posted on July 20, 2010 by nandan

My Parrots

A few days ago, my family brought home a parrot. But when I first saw him, I was genuinely upset—I don’t like to see birds in cages. Birds are meant to fly free in the sky, not stay trapped inside a small cage. I decided to release him, but when I took him up to the rooftop, I realized he was badly injured and unable to fly. He tried very hard, but he could barely walk. He hid himself behind a plant on the roof and refused to come out. My guest, Attila, also saw him and explained that the parrot’s wings had been clipped, and he needed more time to recover.

sports inside the cage

Sports Inside the Cage

We decided to keep the parrot for a few weeks, feed him well, and let him practice flying. Attila gave him one of his rooms, where the parrot lived freely. Attila also asked me if there was any bird doctor or parrot expert in Varanasi. I searched but found none. Finally, Attila contacted an expert in Hungary and arranged an online video consultation. We showed the parrot to the expert, who gave us valuable guidance.

They Love Having a Partner

The consultation opened our eyes. We were shocked to learn that the parrot wasn’t six months old, as we had assumed, but at least three years old. The expert confirmed that he was male and had been injured by wing clipping. If the clipping had not been done too harshly, there was still hope for his wings to regrow. I was happy to hear this, though still unsure whether the clipping had been done forcefully or not.

Their Bedroom

Attila kept in regular contact with the expert, who shared many important things about parrots that most people in India—including us—didn’t know. That’s why I decided to write this post: so others can also benefit from this knowledge. Parrots are deeply loved in India, but sadly, most people don’t know how to care for them properly. Many parrots die young because of harmful practices. While a parrot’s natural lifespan is 25–30 years, most in India survive only a few.

Here are some key things I learned about parrot care:

1. Cage Size

Never keep parrots in a small cage. They are wild birds, meant to live in nature. A cramped cage harms both their mental and physical health. Always buy the biggest cage you can afford and fit at home. My parrot’s cage is 3 feet deep, 3 feet tall, and 3 feet wide.

2. Cage Material

Avoid painted cages. Parrots climb using their beaks, and paint contains harmful chemicals if ingested.

3. Play and Activities

Add sticks, branches, and swings inside the cage. Parrots love to play. (Of course, they don’t play cricket or football! 😊)

4. Signs of Boredom

If your parrot is pacing in circles all the time, it means he is unhappy and bored. This can severely harm his mental and physical health.

5. Food

Never feed cooked food to parrots. They are used to raw fruits, vegetables, and grains. This is the healthiest diet for them.

6. Chilis

Never feed chilies. Many Indians think parrots like them, but parrots cannot taste spiciness. If you give them only chilies, they will eat them out of hunger, but it damages their health.

7. Sand Bowl

Keep a small bowl of clean sand in the cage. Parrots eat a little sand sometimes to get minerals that help them digest food.

8. Free Flying Time

Allow your parrot to fly freely inside your house once a week for a few hours. This exercise keeps them active and happy.

9. Safe Corner

Cover one corner of the cage with cloth or cardboard. Parrots feel secure under such shade, using it as their “bedroom.”

10. A Life Partner

If you plan to keep a parrot for a long time, bring him a partner. Parrots are the second-smartest wild creatures on earth. They need companionship and suffer if left lonely and bored.

Final Thoughts

I don’t believe in taking away anyone’s freedom. But if you choose to keep a parrot as a pet, please follow these guidelines. If you do, your parrot will live a happy and healthy life—and you will also enjoy seeing him play and bond with you. I’ll keep updating this post whenever I learn something new. If you have any questions about parrots, feel free to write to me. I’ll do my best to find the right answer for you.

Thanks!

their bedroom

Shimla

Posted on July 5, 2010 by nandan

Kalka-Shimla railway track

It was the first time when I visited Shimla and I was so excited for this visit as I was going for vacations after a really long time and heat was just killing me in Varanasi and the weather was really nice in Himanchal Pradesh. We took an overnight train from Varanasi to Delhi first and then took another train from Delhi to Kalka in the evening and stayed overnight in Kalka because we wanted to go to Shimla by a toy train and the next train was only in the early morning time. We had tried to book the tickets online for this toy train but all the seats were already booked.

The world heritage train

There were other options also but we wanted to take this train only because Kalka-Shimla train route is world heritage site and we wanted to experience it. We showed up at the Kalka railway station in the morning time and they told us that there were seats vacant in the train which would be leaving after only ten minutes. Our hotel was at least five minutes walk from the railway station but we decided to take a risk by buying the tickets. We ran to the hotel, packed all of our luggage and showed up at the railway station within ten minutes.

Open compartment of the train

We had to do everything very fast because the railway officers told us that the train was going to leave within ten minutes but the train left after an hour. Anyways, we were able to catch the train. We were told that it would take about six hours from Kalka to Shimla but it took about ten hours, but still we enjoyed it actually. I was amazed to see how the British had built this railway line on the mountains. There were 102 tunnels and 988 bridges only during the small railway track of 96 kilometers. Some of the bridges just shocked me. I have heard that many photographers come from all over the world just to photograph those bridges and engineers come from all over the world to see those bridges to learn about the construction.

View from the train

The nature was just awesome all the way starting from Kalka till Shimla. The train was running all the time on the mountains. It was green everywhere. There were several stations in between Kalka and Shimla where the train would stop. I tasted a lot of different kinds of fruits which are available only on the mountains. Finally we arrived in Shimla after eleven hours of tiring but nice journey. We decided to leave all of our luggage at the railway station and go looking for hotels. As we started walking out of the railway station, one porter asked us if we need a hotel.

Beautiful bridge

We told him that we would find the hotel on our own but this creepy man did not want to leave us alone. He was following us continuously. We went to a few hotels but could not get any room. This porter was still following us so finally we decided to give him a chance and asked us to take us to some hotel. He took us to a few hotels and all of those hotels were expensive and did not want to sell the room alone and they said that they would give us a room only if we take the taxi from them. It was crazy. Then we decided to go to any travel agent to book the hotel and taxi both because we wanted to hire a taxi next for the couple of days.

Such writings were everywehre on the train stations

Such writings were everywhere on the train stations

Then we went to a travel agent and this guy was asking just too much money. Actually before leaving Varanasi once we had contacted a car rental service in Chandigarah and they wanted to charge Rs. 14,000 for the taxi and these guys in Shimla were asking for Rs. 24,000. This porter was continuously following us and we started feeling uncomfortable with it. I told him several times very politely to leave us alone but he was just too much. Once I got angry and started shouting at him but he still wanted to chase us. It was getting late and finally we decided to get cheated and buy the hotel and taxi from a travel agent.

Another writing

The major problem in Shimla with us was that neither the hotels nor the travel agents wanted to sell the room alone; they all wanted to sell the room, the taxi, sight seeing and guide all together. You ask them for a hotel room and they tell you rates for all those services. It was a very well organized crime by the hotels and travel agents. Finally we paid Rs. 22,000 for the taxi for five days and two rooms for one night in Shimla. The travel agent showed us a video of the hotel room but once we arrived there, we realized that the room we were shown was different than the room we got.

Shimla

After all these problems we decided to get out of Shimla as soon as possible. We slept in the same hotel and when I woke up I found that my glasses were gone somewhere. I searched for my glasses everywhere in the room but could not find them. Then I called the hotel reception and asked them if they knew something about it and their answer was really shocking. They asked me if the room’s window was open and I said yes and then they said: monkey took your glasses. I was like how is this possible? I asked him why did he not inform me if there was such problem in that area or why did they not screen all the windows but those crazy people had no answer.

Look at this word

I bought some new glasses in Shimla, took the taxi and left Shimla immediately. We just did not feel like staying there even for a few minutes. I just hate Shimla because of the people working in the tourism sector there. They are criminals. But there were a few good things also. There is a place called Mall Road in Shimla which had the cleanest street I had ever seen in all of India. Even vehicles are also prohibited in Mall Road. The architecture was completely British. Attila and his wife Dora told me that Shimla looked exactly like European cities. Especially the architecture of the buildings and the English word they were using in Shimla were complete British.

People also looked different

This always strikes me that although British updated themselves but we still follow all the British things. The buildings were nice but what about their crazy rules that were never updated? We had to come back to Shimla after visiting Manali and Tirthan valley. I left for Chennai to work and Bunti, Babu, Attila and Dora stayed in Shimla for two more nights because they wanted to see nearby places. Attila looked for some hotels in lonely planet and we found a really nice and honest hotel in Shimla called Hotel White. The location was just awesome, it being hardly 2 minutes from the Mall Road. We asked our driver to take us to the Hotel White but he did not know about this hotel. We asked a few locals and somehow reached the hotel.

View of Shimla from the Hotel White

This was the first hotel we had been in whole Shimla that had mentioned all of their rates clearly on a board near the reception. I always try to get a discount in hotels by showing my tour guide ID card and did the same with this hotel also but they did not give me any discount but I was happy that at least I was not over charged. I asked them why not many people knew about their hotel and they said that since they do not give any commission to the drivers or travel agents, nobody knows them. I felt like staying for some time in Shimla after finding this hotel but unfortunately I had to leave because of my work in Chennai. I would like to go to Shimla again and stay at Hotel White in Lakkad Bazaar and explore the town.

Rohtang Pass

Posted on June 25, 2010 by nandan

Trip to Rohtang Pass

After visiting Shimla and Manali, we headed to Rohtang Pass—the only place on our entire journey where we could actually see snow. We were all so excited. Our driver warned us that we needed to leave very early in the morning; otherwise, we would get stuck in heavy traffic later in the day and might not even reach the snow. We woke up at 5 a.m. and were ready by 6. The driver insisted we were already late, which we thought was just a joke. But he was right. About 15 kilometers before Rohtang, we got stuck in one of the biggest traffic jams I had ever seen in my life. Cars and buses lined up for kilometers along the mountain road—it was a complete disaster.

the traffic jam

Renting Clothes for the Snow

Before the trip, the driver had asked if we had brought warm clothes. When he saw what we had, he said they were not enough for the snow and insisted we rent special clothing. Attila, who had already been to several snowy places, told me such clothing wasn’t necessary for Rohtang. But since the driver kept pushing, I finally agreed. He took us to a shop that rented out long jackets and boots—basically factory rejects—for ₹1000 a set. It was far too expensive. I asked him to take us somewhere else, but he claimed there were only a few shops and we wouldn’t find any more on the way. After bargaining, we got the clothes for ₹500. I knew it was still overpriced, but I had no choice, especially since I was worried about my wife and baby.

Later, as we drove toward Rohtang, I realized the driver had cheated us. There were countless shops along the way, all renting similar clothes for just ₹50! Even at the pass itself, shops were everywhere, and in truth, the weather wasn’t cold enough to require such heavy clothing. We never even used the clothes we had rented.

people enjoying the snow

First Impressions of Rohtang

When we finally reached Rohtang Pass, it was both exciting and disappointing. Yes, there was snow—but much of it was ruined. It was black in places, littered with garbage, and even spoiled by animals. Plastic waste was everywhere, as usual. There were snow bikes, snowboards, and even hand-pulled carts for tourists. The cart service was particularly upsetting. People would sit in a chair while two or three men physically pulled them uphill and then brought them down. It was exhausting work in thin air, and I couldn’t understand how tourists could actually enjoy such a service.

it was everywhere

The snow bike drivers were reckless too. Despite the crowds, they zoomed around dangerously. The snowboard rental was just as strange—they had only one pair of boots, and every customer, regardless of shoe size, was expected to wear them. I had never skied before, but it looked unsafe. Attila confirmed that using the wrong-sized boots could even break your ankles. Still, many tourists rented boards and struggled hilariously on the slopes—it was quite a sight to watch.

They looked fit enough but….

The Experience

We spent about four hours on the snow, enjoyed the scenery, and had a good laugh watching others try their luck with skiing. Around 5 p.m., we headed back to our hotel. Overall, Rohtang Pass was a memorable experience—though I will always remember how our driver cheated us out of a few hundred rupees.

snow bikes

Guide training program – week 3

Posted on August 31, 2009 by nandan

Half of the training is now complete. I have three weeks of classroom instruction and one week of orientation tour remaining before I begin my fieldwork. I am very excited about this next phase. I’ve discussed my fieldwork topic, LGBT tourism, with other participants, and they’ve raised concerns that the institute may not approve it. This is troubling, but I’m determined to address it. I’m gathering basic information about LGBT tourism to present a strong case to my professor for approving my topic.

If my proposed subject isn’t approved, I’m considering focusing on either eco-tourism or rural tourism. I’m not interested in traditional Indian tourism subjects like heritage or culture, although I will need to learn about these topics and include information on the heritage and culture of Benares in my research. Specializing in LGBT tourism would be unique in India, and it would be a significant advantage if the institute accepts it. If LGBT tourism is not approved, I’d like to explore eco-tourism in Mirzapur district. Located just 75 km from Benares, Mirzapur is rich in natural beauty.

Our professors discussed the caves, cave temples, and rock paintings of Mirzapur, which I find fascinating. Despite its lack of promotion as a tourist destination, Mirzapur offers many opportunities with its waterfalls, dams, rivers, lakes, and hills. I’m considering starting trekking and camping tours there. Even if my LGBT tourism subject is approved, I would still promote and work in Mirzapur. Its rural setting offers great potential for rural tourism as well. I’m very enthusiastic about this project.

This week featured some engaging lectures. One guest speaker, Mr. Pandya, a tour guide who won the Best Tour Guide Award in 2008, shared his experiences. He is reportedly the highest-paid tour guide in India. Unlike most tour guides who stay in budget hotels while their clients enjoy luxury accommodations, Mr. Pandya stays in the same five-star hotels as his clients. His high rates and personal rules mean he only takes on five or six assignments a year. He charges $100 per day, which doesn’t seem excessive to me, as I sometimes earn that much working as a translator.

He also emphasized the importance of improving our accents, noting that while Indians have their own English, we should aim to speak the version used by tourists. I also learned a new term this week: “Chabbi,” which means commission in the tourism sector. A Muslim professor, an expert on tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, discussed how he initially avoided taking commissions from shopkeepers due to religious reasons but has since accepted it as part of the global tourism system. He mentioned that in some countries, it’s referred to as profit-sharing, which can be a more acceptable term for Muslims. He also noted that if he doesn’t bring clients to travel agency stores, he risks losing his job.

We had other fascinating lectures this week on topics such as tourism offices in India and abroad, Islam, female foreign tourists in India, the condition of women in medieval Indian history, eco-tourism, water tourism, adventure tourism, India’s architectural heritage, the Kamasutra, and Khajuraho sculptures. I asked the professor discussing the Kamasutra whether it addresses homosexuality, and he mentioned that homosexuality has been present for a long time, even noting that Babar had male partners. He also remarked that Afghanistan currently has a strong gay culture. Additionally, during a lecture on Islam by a professor from Jamia Millia Islamia University, a participant inquired about the condition of women in Islam.

The professor responded that the condition of women is poor across all religions. When another participant pointed out the relatively liberal treatment of women in Hindu society, the professor simply smiled and referenced the Agni Pariksha of Sita, then left the classroom abruptly. Overall, I’m thoroughly enjoying the program and looking forward to the remaining four weeks of training.

Coca-Cola research for book

Posted on June 16, 2009 by nandan

I worked with the American writer Mr. Michael Blanding as his translator and local assistant for two days, on June 14th and 15th, in Mehndiganj. Mr. Blanding is writing a book titled *Coke Machine*, which explores the Coca-Cola issue and will be published by Penguin Publications, USA. I first met him on June 14th at the Lok Samiti’s office in Mehndiganj. While Michael has previously written articles about the Coca-Cola issue in Colombia, this book will also address problems in India, Colombia, and Mexico. One of his notable articles is “Coke: The New Nike?”

Broken pipes of Rain harvesting system at Mirjamuraj Police station

Before working with Michael, I was aware of the issues in India and Colombia but did not know that Mexico was also affected. Michael informed me that Mexico is the largest market for Coca-Cola products, and now faces severe problems with obesity and other health issues. Obesity was not prevalent in Mexico a few years ago, but with the increased sales of Coca-Cola products, the obesity rates have also risen. He also mentioned that Coca-Cola and Pepsi are planning to introduce coconut water in India, which struck me as odd. I doubt they will be able to offer a truly natural product, as it will likely be mixed with chemicals.

We interviewed about ten people, visited Coca-Cola’s rainwater harvesting sites at various locations, and examined their wastewater discharge system. I had hoped for improvements, but the situation remains unchanged. We visited two rainwater harvesting sites: one on the rooftop of the Agriculture Research Center in Kallipur village and another on the rooftop of the Mijramurad Police Station. Neither site was operational, with most pipes either broken or jammed. At the Agriculture Research Center, staff reported that Coca-Cola had set up the site about two years ago to create a positive impression.

However, it ceased functioning within a few months, and despite notifying Coca-Cola officials, no repairs were made. The rooftop now overflows, and the rainwater harvesting system is entirely nonfunctional. The well, intended to capture and recharge groundwater, was completely dry, and residents said they had never seen water in it due to jammed pipes. The situation at the Mijramurad Police Station was similar. Most pipes were broken or jammed, and local residents, including a journalist and police officers, confirmed that the site stopped working a few months after its installation, with no subsequent maintenance from Coca-Cola.

Residents near the Coca-Cola plant reported significant water shortages, blaming the company for their problems. They noted that water scarcity was not an issue before Coca-Cola arrived in Mehndiganj. Many showed us their dry wells and nonfunctional hand pumps. Farmers now purchase water for irrigation because their bore wells no longer work. Wealthier individuals with submersible pumps sell water to poorer farmers. We visited two ponds dug by the village committee, which are different from Coca-Cola’s sites. The committee had chosen land with lime-rich soil to filter the water effectively.

They connected nearby villages to the pond through pipes, allowing rainwater to flow into the pond and recharge groundwater. It appeared that the village committee’s efforts were far more effective than Coca-Cola’s. Nandlal Master, President of Lok Samiti, mentioned that Coca-Cola had conducted groundwater testing through an agency called TERI (Tata Environmental Research Institute), which recommended that the company leave Mehndiganj. Based on my observations over the past three years, I agree that Coca-Cola should exit Mehndiganj. I am eager for Michael’s book to be published and hope it will support the people of Mehndiganj in their struggle.

Frustration in villages

Posted on May 31, 2009 by nandan

I visited my village after being away for ten years, and I saw many changes that made me sad. I used to think that Indian villages were still safe, but the reality was quite different. I remember that there used to be a pond right in front of my village house, but now half of it is covered with clay and other waste. India’s purchasing power has increased significantly over the past fifteen years, and while people are buying more products, they lack proper waste disposal methods.

I don’t blame the people for this issue; rather, I think the government has failed to address waste management effectively. These are relatively new problems for India, and there is a clear need for education on proper waste disposal. Traditionally, throwing rubbish outside the house was part of Indian culture, but in the past, the waste was made from natural materials. Cows and other animals, which have always roamed freely in India, used to help dispose of this natural waste. Today, however, our trash is largely plastic and chemical, which these animals cannot decompose.

Villagers have started buying packaged products and often discard the waste in open spaces or ponds, leading to the degradation of places like the pond in front of my village house. People do not realize how this will affect their lives in the future. When I discussed this with the villagers, they showed little interest. They believed that covering the pond was a solution because it would reduce the water and consequently the mosquitoes. Covering the pond isn’t a proper solution to mosquito problems; proper cleaning and maintenance could have achieved that.

I also wanted to see an old well near the pond that had personal significance to me—my brother had fallen into it about fifteen years ago. To my surprise, there was no sign of the well, just plain ground. My cousin informed me that they had completely covered it up. This decision was shocking and baffling. I understand the importance of wells for recharging groundwater and was dismayed to see such a crucial resource discarded. The villagers claimed the well was no longer useful for two reasons: fear of accidents and the water quality. They could have covered it with a screen to allow rainwater to pass through but chose to seal it entirely.

I observed that everyone in the village uses plastic products in their daily lives and disposes of them improperly. There is a lack of awareness about the impact of plastic waste. It is crucial for the government to step in and address these issues by introducing environmental studies in schools and making them compulsory. Villages face significant challenges now, including a decline in the quality of education. Students often attend school, pass time by massaging their teachers’ feet, and leave with degrees that do not equip them for real-world jobs. This lack of practical education leaves them unprepared for city life, leading to social and economic struggles.

The frustration from their isolation and the exposure to city lifestyles, like seeing girls in short skirts, can lead to unhealthy behaviors. Many young men, feeling disconnected and frustrated, may turn to brothels, contracting diseases like HIV due to ignorance about safe sex practices. Additionally, the use of gutka, a chewing tobacco, is prevalent among youth and is a leading cause of mouth cancer in India. The prospect of a global water crisis is often discussed, and given the current state of affairs in India, it seems possible that India might face severe water scarcity in the future. We have severely depleted our rivers, deforested much of our land, and are now threatening our groundwater.

Pesticides banned in other countries are still used in Indian agriculture, often without awareness of their harmful effects. The Indian government appears to lack effective control over these issues, and the situation could escalate into a major crisis. While the world is working to repair environmental damage, India seems to be exacerbating the problem. If environmental quality dictates living standards, India could face the worst living conditions globally within the next fifteen to twenty years. I hope the Indian government will eventually address these problems, but by then, it might be too late.