Surat Municipal Corporation’s recent book release- ’At the Core’ not only provides a peek at the built heritage of Surat and Rander but also enriches readers with information on important areas of Tapi town and how their names came into being.
Tapi, also known as Suryaputri, is named after the Sun God’s daughter. Author Ishwarlal Desai who has penned one of the most wonderful versions of the history of our town –‘Surat Sonani Murat’ mentions how mythology revolves around the belief that the Sun God upon being pleased with the penance of Kapil Muni, settled in this region as Kantarswami, which is why it was known as Suryapur. Rander derived its name from his wife Rannade, while Ashwinikumar was christened after his son, who, locals believe performed the pyre rites for gods.
The name Choriyasi Taluka was derived from the fact that flags of 84 nations proudly furled over the trading ships that sailed the Tapi. As the town began to progress, turning into one of the most successful ports in global trade, various core areas of the city were named after rich merchants or clans that resided there, like Gopipura, Sonifaliya, Wadifaliya, Shahpore.
Certain areas were named after the trade that flourished there like Nanavat-where money of all International currency could be exchanged, Ruwala Tekro-where cotton commodity ruled, Machhlipit-fish market.
Saiyyedpura is said to have taken its name from the Sufi Saiyyed saint while Meccaipul derives its name via the ferry station bridge from where Haj pilgrims boarded ships that set sail to Mecca.
Rustompura is named after a leading Parsi trader in the 17th century-Rustom Maneck Seth (1635-1721) .This gentleman was the vital link for business between Aurungzeb, the Dutch and the British.A favourite with the monarch, he was gifted large areas of land which he named after himself and family members. Sagrampura was originally called Frampura, after his son- Framji Seth, Nanpura is named after his grandson, Nanbhoy Seth.
While the English and Dutch cemeteries are part of the city’s heritage structures, all that otherwise remains reminiscent of the British are the Hope Bridge and Andrews Library and though the Dutch did not make it to Delhi, their factory and garden are still very much part of our town .Interestingly, French Garden is present day Diwali Baug. While both the Dutch and the French gardens look out to the river, in the ancient times, the popular river fronts were the various Ovaras. Amongst the aptly named numerous Ovaras such as Navdi (boat), Ghanta (bell), Patali (Hanuman temple) Raja (King) the one that holds distinction is the Paanch Pandav Ovaro where, it is believed that the Pandava’s emerged ,through a secret tunnel ,when they escaped certain death.
The area we know as Mugalisara derives it name from Mughal Sarai where caravans once rested; it now houses the offices of the municipal corporation. Surat’s modern suburbs begin with Athwalines; its name comes from Athwa gate-meaning the eighth gate. Through its years of progress, rulers tried to secure our prosperous ‘city of Kubera’ with a circumference of two walls. The inner wall was named Sheharpanah (city shelter) while the outer one was Alampanah (shelter of the world).
Surat originally had 12 city gates which were majestic and named -Phatak Darwaja,Variyavi Darwaja,Katargam Darwaja,Lal Darwaja,Delhi Darwaja,Sahra Darwaja,Salabat Darwaja,Maan Darwaja,Navsari Darwaja,Jafarali Darwaja,Majura Darwaja,Athwa Darwaja-the positions of these were determined via the routes of trade.Even as the areas around these now non existant gates are still known by the same names,Surat’s Ringroad is the replacement of most of the same
From Chowk to Zhampa , Katargam to Timalyawaad, the city carries on its ancient names with pride. A few areas near Ramnagar in Rander and Sachin GIDC area are officially known as Pakistan Mohallo and Bangladesh Mohollo, thus named after migrants from those countries who are now successfully settled in Surat.
Showing posts with label tapi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tapi. Show all posts
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thailand's spice and silk route
Thailand's spice and silk route
“Sorry sir,full moon night,so, no whiskey,no sexy.”said the bouncer blocking the bar entrance. The Gujaratis could not believe their ears; there they were, in Phuket, Thailand’s paradise for ‘paisawallahs’, they had all the money to spend in the world, but this ban certainly meant less bang for their buck.
“Eni behney! “Exclaimed one from the gang,”ahiya ho Poonam bharva jaay!”(they visit the temple on a full moon here too)
There is much more than the Thai‘wai’(namaste)that welcomes Indians to feel at home in Thailand; for a country where tourism thrives on the business of bars and babes-practices that are generally perceived as being outside the matrix of morality, it has staunch cultural traditions very similar to many followed within India and more so in Gujarat, which surprises first time visitors.
Business bonding
Around 8 lakh Indians visited Thailand in 2010,but Gujarat’s Shahbandars (Port men) were amongst the earliest who sailed out to its shores.During the ancient medieval times, Surat, Bharuch and Khambhat which were amongst the most active ports of the 52 which existed in Gujarat, had many traders sailing out with fine silk and spices to Thailand’s shores.Patan’s Patola silk is considered sacred and the fabric of gods there.Naturally dyed colour fast block printed cloth made by the masters of textiles in Ahmedabad was produced for export to Thailand.
Made by the Bhavsars of Ahmedabad,the cloth was known as ‘Saudagiri’-fabric meant for trade.This trade was monitored by three main corporations run by Vashi,Maskati and Baghi . The Imperial Gazeeteer notes how five workshops of Hindu and Muslim Khatris were set up in Pethapur for block printing fabrics to be exported to Thailand. The Gajjar community specially crafted wooden blocks with Thai motifs. Along with silk weaves ,cotton Kalamkar prints from Ahmedabad had high demand in Thai markets.Motifs woven within Thai silk till this date is inspired by these ancient designs.
In his book ‘The history of Thailand,’Patit Paban Mishra states how ‘spice and pepper trade in the Mediterranean by Gujarati traders resulted in the establishment of Muslim settlements in Southeast Asia.The Indian Muslims, newly converted to the religion themselves were not as orthodox as the Arabian followers of Islam.’
Gujarati entrepuener, Nishita Shah, 30, recently featured amongst Forbes magazine’s listing of Thailand’s richest.Gujarat’s Dawoodi Bohra community known to be ace businessmen were amongst the earliest trading communities to settle in Bangkok; in fact ,the oldest non-Chinese firm in Bangkok is the A.T.E. Maskati Company, established 1856 by Dawoodi Bohras of Ahmedabad who had sailed out from Surat and set up one of Thailand’s first international trading companies.
Food and culture.
Gujarat’s Khatri community too abstains from both meat and alcohol during full moon nights and a visit to the temple particularly that of Mahalakshmi is mandatory. Just as the evil eye is warded off by burning it back here, butter paper lanterns are lit and let up to burn out above the beaches of pristine sea waters there.
More than 94 % of Thailand’s population follows Theravada Buddhism which historians believe was spread via the messengers of Ashoka the great Indian king , locals believe in Ramakien –a Thai version of Ramayana..Over the years,Thailand has also preserved its Hindu characteristics acquired from Khshatriya immigrant colonies,via peaceful non political methods and more so by means of marriage.Traders who sailed out to Southeast Asia,often ended up marrying local women and settling there for good.Later,when their off springs were married back into Gujarat,they brought with them a varied Thai cuisine and long before fancy Thai restaurants were opened up in our country, Khatri home makers were conjuring up coconut and peanut curries tinged with lemongrass roots within the local kitchens.
Many Brahmins, who sailed there with Kshatriya kings settled in Thailand and were adopted into royalty and also performed coronation ceremonies. Indian themes thus got ingrained within Thai forms of dance and dramas. Method of worship is similar as Hindus, as are our Gods from Ganesha to Brahma.
Thousands flock the Sri Mariamman temple in Bangkok during Navratri .Bangkok's sacred destination - temple of Emerald Buddha has Ramayan depicted on its walls.A lot of retail shops in Thailand even within fancy malls begin the day by playing a recording of the Hanuman chalisa.
Geographically,the only link that connects India to Thailand are the lowest crags of the Himalayas ,foothills of which line Northern Thailand; its Salawin river flirts with Myanmar before flooding our Bay of Bengal. Surat and Tapi are names that read on the maps of both these two different countries which have similar customs. While Gujarat’s spices and silk enrich their day to day life, fruits imported from Thailand's 'Fruit Garden city'-Surat Thani, like Ramabutan, Mangosteen and Durian are now available here too. Along with similar English language speaking skills (or rather the lack of same) we also retain the title of being ‘city of good people.’
“Sorry sir,full moon night,so, no whiskey,no sexy.”said the bouncer blocking the bar entrance. The Gujaratis could not believe their ears; there they were, in Phuket, Thailand’s paradise for ‘paisawallahs’, they had all the money to spend in the world, but this ban certainly meant less bang for their buck.
“Eni behney! “Exclaimed one from the gang,”ahiya ho Poonam bharva jaay!”(they visit the temple on a full moon here too)
There is much more than the Thai‘wai’(namaste)that welcomes Indians to feel at home in Thailand; for a country where tourism thrives on the business of bars and babes-practices that are generally perceived as being outside the matrix of morality, it has staunch cultural traditions very similar to many followed within India and more so in Gujarat, which surprises first time visitors.
Business bonding
Around 8 lakh Indians visited Thailand in 2010,but Gujarat’s Shahbandars (Port men) were amongst the earliest who sailed out to its shores.During the ancient medieval times, Surat, Bharuch and Khambhat which were amongst the most active ports of the 52 which existed in Gujarat, had many traders sailing out with fine silk and spices to Thailand’s shores.Patan’s Patola silk is considered sacred and the fabric of gods there.Naturally dyed colour fast block printed cloth made by the masters of textiles in Ahmedabad was produced for export to Thailand.
Made by the Bhavsars of Ahmedabad,the cloth was known as ‘Saudagiri’-fabric meant for trade.This trade was monitored by three main corporations run by Vashi,Maskati and Baghi . The Imperial Gazeeteer notes how five workshops of Hindu and Muslim Khatris were set up in Pethapur for block printing fabrics to be exported to Thailand. The Gajjar community specially crafted wooden blocks with Thai motifs. Along with silk weaves ,cotton Kalamkar prints from Ahmedabad had high demand in Thai markets.Motifs woven within Thai silk till this date is inspired by these ancient designs.
In his book ‘The history of Thailand,’Patit Paban Mishra states how ‘spice and pepper trade in the Mediterranean by Gujarati traders resulted in the establishment of Muslim settlements in Southeast Asia.The Indian Muslims, newly converted to the religion themselves were not as orthodox as the Arabian followers of Islam.’
Gujarati entrepuener, Nishita Shah, 30, recently featured amongst Forbes magazine’s listing of Thailand’s richest.Gujarat’s Dawoodi Bohra community known to be ace businessmen were amongst the earliest trading communities to settle in Bangkok; in fact ,the oldest non-Chinese firm in Bangkok is the A.T.E. Maskati Company, established 1856 by Dawoodi Bohras of Ahmedabad who had sailed out from Surat and set up one of Thailand’s first international trading companies.
Food and culture.
Gujarat’s Khatri community too abstains from both meat and alcohol during full moon nights and a visit to the temple particularly that of Mahalakshmi is mandatory. Just as the evil eye is warded off by burning it back here, butter paper lanterns are lit and let up to burn out above the beaches of pristine sea waters there.
More than 94 % of Thailand’s population follows Theravada Buddhism which historians believe was spread via the messengers of Ashoka the great Indian king , locals believe in Ramakien –a Thai version of Ramayana..Over the years,Thailand has also preserved its Hindu characteristics acquired from Khshatriya immigrant colonies,via peaceful non political methods and more so by means of marriage.Traders who sailed out to Southeast Asia,often ended up marrying local women and settling there for good.Later,when their off springs were married back into Gujarat,they brought with them a varied Thai cuisine and long before fancy Thai restaurants were opened up in our country, Khatri home makers were conjuring up coconut and peanut curries tinged with lemongrass roots within the local kitchens.
Many Brahmins, who sailed there with Kshatriya kings settled in Thailand and were adopted into royalty and also performed coronation ceremonies. Indian themes thus got ingrained within Thai forms of dance and dramas. Method of worship is similar as Hindus, as are our Gods from Ganesha to Brahma.
Thousands flock the Sri Mariamman temple in Bangkok during Navratri .Bangkok's sacred destination - temple of Emerald Buddha has Ramayan depicted on its walls.A lot of retail shops in Thailand even within fancy malls begin the day by playing a recording of the Hanuman chalisa.
Geographically,the only link that connects India to Thailand are the lowest crags of the Himalayas ,foothills of which line Northern Thailand; its Salawin river flirts with Myanmar before flooding our Bay of Bengal. Surat and Tapi are names that read on the maps of both these two different countries which have similar customs. While Gujarat’s spices and silk enrich their day to day life, fruits imported from Thailand's 'Fruit Garden city'-Surat Thani, like Ramabutan, Mangosteen and Durian are now available here too. Along with similar English language speaking skills (or rather the lack of same) we also retain the title of being ‘city of good people.’
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
At the Core-Book review
AT THE CORE-GLIMPSES AT SURAT’S GLORY
Surat is one of the fastest growing cities in the world sparkling as bright as diamonds that are polished here(80% of the entire world's uncut stones are polished here); a town by the river Tapi which holds its place in history with illuminating memories of a glorious past. Here is where the Sun God presided, the city named Suryapur after him, Rander on the yonder shore named after his wife Rannade, Tapi known as his daughter-Suryaputri, part of which is renowned as Gupt Ganga, where the Ganges visits to wash her sins.
The original Gateway to India for the globe, where flags of 84 countries once furled high making a statement for the town’s trading talent. With the advent of visitors and settlements came the array of heritage that weaved itself within this textile town’s social fabric and till date reflects in Surat’s culture and construction.
‘At the Core’, Understanding the built heritage of Surat and Rander - a book by Urban Management Centre (UBC),supported by Surat’s Municipal Corporation (SMC), provides a peek into the past, within the walled city which was once a melting pot of global culture and commerce. Co-authored by UBC’s founder director Manvita Baradi and deputy director Meghna Malhotra, the book is beautifully wrought and consistently appealing.
Post an introduction to Tapi town by SMC Commissioner Ms.S.Aparna, the book begins with Surat’s extensive dateline which goes way back to 300BC, when it was known as Laat Pradesh and proceeds to its position as the best performing JnNURM city in present times. This documentation goes far deeper to the core within; providing Surat’s history to the significance of data.
An expansive study of structures within the old walled city,’At the Core’ brings forth the expressive embellishments on Surat and Rander’s listed buildings of heritage value zooming in on about 2,417 from the 4,450 listed by the Surat Municipal Corporation.
Photographed by the staff and associates of UBC, the pictures provide an opportunity to soak in at ease intricate wood carvings within the timber and teak from Burma and Dang which were treated to withstand weather. While locals will instantly be able to recognize and relate to these, captions of locations would have been a helpful hint to tourists.
A handful of black and white aces which are in a class of their own have been clicked by Surat’s legendary photographer V. N. Mehta and have been generously shared by his great grandson Rajesh Mehta are fabulous and reminiscent of the city in the early and mid twentieth century and have successfully captured the essence of Surat’s spirit and spunk
The architecture within the inner city influenced by Arabesque style from the Mughal period to European and Colonial style combined with traditional style and skill of local workmanship displays genius craftsmanship within structures which now look dilapidated at first look. But then, lets not forget, this city has survived fires and floods, ravaging and plague and still stands tall.
From secret catacombs in basement of the Nagarsheth‘s haveli which were a safe passage to the river banks during the Maratha raids to stained glass window panes and Art Deco styling with skylights that brought in the sunlight with row houses that ran side by side from ornamental ‘otlas’ (front porches) upto service entry ‘vadas’ (backyards).The intermingling of ancient and modern fresco and design is visible in a wide and vast variety in segments of the city where people of privilege resided. The built heritage suggests the then veritable economic boom in a city which by no means has ever had a sluggish economy.
Enriched by ancient maps and paintings provided from the British Library Board to modern day satellite visuals,it documents the ‘Sheharpanah’ and ‘Alampanah’,Surat’s old inner and outer city walls along with its twelve entry gates.Since Rander was the Southern tip of Bharuch at the time this book chronicles in, it has been named separately .
Unlike Ahmedabad, Surat and Rander do not have any structures by Le Corbusier but, its orderly grid of sheris, majestic ovaras and jharokhas, artistic chabutras and cemeteries, lofty fort, intricately carved mosques and temples are proof enough of the finest architecture of its time in a city which was influenced by maritime trade and was cosmopolitan centuries ahead of the rest of India.
‘At the Core’ packages all that and more while simultaneously weaving the warp and weft of history, the wealth of which is as rich as the kinkhwab and brocade woven within its heritage structures.
Surat is one of the fastest growing cities in the world sparkling as bright as diamonds that are polished here(80% of the entire world's uncut stones are polished here); a town by the river Tapi which holds its place in history with illuminating memories of a glorious past. Here is where the Sun God presided, the city named Suryapur after him, Rander on the yonder shore named after his wife Rannade, Tapi known as his daughter-Suryaputri, part of which is renowned as Gupt Ganga, where the Ganges visits to wash her sins.
The original Gateway to India for the globe, where flags of 84 countries once furled high making a statement for the town’s trading talent. With the advent of visitors and settlements came the array of heritage that weaved itself within this textile town’s social fabric and till date reflects in Surat’s culture and construction.
‘At the Core’, Understanding the built heritage of Surat and Rander - a book by Urban Management Centre (UBC),supported by Surat’s Municipal Corporation (SMC), provides a peek into the past, within the walled city which was once a melting pot of global culture and commerce. Co-authored by UBC’s founder director Manvita Baradi and deputy director Meghna Malhotra, the book is beautifully wrought and consistently appealing.
Post an introduction to Tapi town by SMC Commissioner Ms.S.Aparna, the book begins with Surat’s extensive dateline which goes way back to 300BC, when it was known as Laat Pradesh and proceeds to its position as the best performing JnNURM city in present times. This documentation goes far deeper to the core within; providing Surat’s history to the significance of data.
An expansive study of structures within the old walled city,’At the Core’ brings forth the expressive embellishments on Surat and Rander’s listed buildings of heritage value zooming in on about 2,417 from the 4,450 listed by the Surat Municipal Corporation.
Photographed by the staff and associates of UBC, the pictures provide an opportunity to soak in at ease intricate wood carvings within the timber and teak from Burma and Dang which were treated to withstand weather. While locals will instantly be able to recognize and relate to these, captions of locations would have been a helpful hint to tourists.
A handful of black and white aces which are in a class of their own have been clicked by Surat’s legendary photographer V. N. Mehta and have been generously shared by his great grandson Rajesh Mehta are fabulous and reminiscent of the city in the early and mid twentieth century and have successfully captured the essence of Surat’s spirit and spunk
The architecture within the inner city influenced by Arabesque style from the Mughal period to European and Colonial style combined with traditional style and skill of local workmanship displays genius craftsmanship within structures which now look dilapidated at first look. But then, lets not forget, this city has survived fires and floods, ravaging and plague and still stands tall.
From secret catacombs in basement of the Nagarsheth‘s haveli which were a safe passage to the river banks during the Maratha raids to stained glass window panes and Art Deco styling with skylights that brought in the sunlight with row houses that ran side by side from ornamental ‘otlas’ (front porches) upto service entry ‘vadas’ (backyards).The intermingling of ancient and modern fresco and design is visible in a wide and vast variety in segments of the city where people of privilege resided. The built heritage suggests the then veritable economic boom in a city which by no means has ever had a sluggish economy.
Enriched by ancient maps and paintings provided from the British Library Board to modern day satellite visuals,it documents the ‘Sheharpanah’ and ‘Alampanah’,Surat’s old inner and outer city walls along with its twelve entry gates.Since Rander was the Southern tip of Bharuch at the time this book chronicles in, it has been named separately .
Unlike Ahmedabad, Surat and Rander do not have any structures by Le Corbusier but, its orderly grid of sheris, majestic ovaras and jharokhas, artistic chabutras and cemeteries, lofty fort, intricately carved mosques and temples are proof enough of the finest architecture of its time in a city which was influenced by maritime trade and was cosmopolitan centuries ahead of the rest of India.
‘At the Core’ packages all that and more while simultaneously weaving the warp and weft of history, the wealth of which is as rich as the kinkhwab and brocade woven within its heritage structures.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
ROMANCING THE RAIN
Of all the seasons that fall over Tapi town, the monsoon is by far the one that makes it most beautiful. If the skilled Sanskrit poet-Kalidasa’s cloud messenger-Meghdoot were to fly over Surat, in its fluffy state, its eye would meet many a pretty sight-
Kalidasa wrote-‘The Ashoka tree with sweetly dancing lines, the favourite Bakul tree, are near the bower of Amaranth-engirdled Jasmine vines; Like me they wait to feel the winning power, of her persuasion ere they blossom into flower.’
As Surat’s ancient architecture from Dutch to English to Mughal stands freshly awashed; most roads are carpeted with fresh blossoms from blazing Gulmohars, beaming Amaltas and in case you are on the right side of the road, pretty Parijats.
In spite of its urbanization, there still lie many quaint streets in Surat where one could enjoy a walk while it drizzles; like the by lane in Sarjan society which overlooks the garden is one closest to nature, like the main road by Panas agricultural farm where two wheelers now zip zap zoom has the most beautiful road sheltered by many a tree, like the green tunnel formed by a foliage of branches that entwine overhead outside the Umra police station.
The sweet, damp full bodied fragrance of mother earth will tempt bi-cyclists to bring out their wheels and race towards where land meets the Arabian sea, for the more adventurous, the serpentine Palsana route will serve the purpose for racing the rain.
Children who have now grown out of paper boat days will splash out into a wet and wild football or volleyball bout .As an audience of lasses below bright coloured umbrellas cheer on with their effervescent and unabashed Surti charm.
Kitly kings will be concocting up misty mint flavored tea from textile market’s famous foamy delight-‘Tim tim ‘as onerous laborers run around with rainbow coloured goods to good old Ghodod road’s cutting chai which will help wash down local goodies.
Foodies by nature, Surtis will be seen at all monsoon hotspots around town, relishing hot steamed khichu drizzled with oil and decorated with a generous sprinkle sesame seeds ,chutney lined tomato bhajiyas freshly fried by the ancient anchor at Dumas and pepper laced Sarasiya khajas from Ambaji road. As ash flies, floating out with the aroma of freshly roasted corn on the cob by road side kiosks, run by robust women from villages like Vesu, Bhimpore in bright coloured clothing, fanning the charcoal fire from below plastic hoods that do little to keep them from getting drenched by the downpour.
One could go out and enjoy the weather, view it from the various bridges that connect us to the blue horizon yonder, where palms swish and swoon to the tunes of the monsoon slate.
Just in case you would rather stay dry within the comfort of your home, curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a great book like ‘Chasing the monsoon ‘by Alexander Frater.Or, better still, soak yourself in the rich text of ‘Meghduta’by Kalidasa what better weather than this to enjoy one of the most romantic poetry ever written -
‘Where from the Moonstones hung in nets of thread, great drops of water trickle in the night. When the Moon shines clear and thou, O cloud art fled to ease the languorous of the women’s plight who lie relaxed and tired in love’s embrace tight.’
Of all the seasons that fall over Tapi town, the monsoon is by far the one that makes it most beautiful. If the skilled Sanskrit poet-Kalidasa’s cloud messenger-Meghdoot were to fly over Surat, in its fluffy state, its eye would meet many a pretty sight-
Kalidasa wrote-‘The Ashoka tree with sweetly dancing lines, the favourite Bakul tree, are near the bower of Amaranth-engirdled Jasmine vines; Like me they wait to feel the winning power, of her persuasion ere they blossom into flower.’
As Surat’s ancient architecture from Dutch to English to Mughal stands freshly awashed; most roads are carpeted with fresh blossoms from blazing Gulmohars, beaming Amaltas and in case you are on the right side of the road, pretty Parijats.
In spite of its urbanization, there still lie many quaint streets in Surat where one could enjoy a walk while it drizzles; like the by lane in Sarjan society which overlooks the garden is one closest to nature, like the main road by Panas agricultural farm where two wheelers now zip zap zoom has the most beautiful road sheltered by many a tree, like the green tunnel formed by a foliage of branches that entwine overhead outside the Umra police station.
The sweet, damp full bodied fragrance of mother earth will tempt bi-cyclists to bring out their wheels and race towards where land meets the Arabian sea, for the more adventurous, the serpentine Palsana route will serve the purpose for racing the rain.
Children who have now grown out of paper boat days will splash out into a wet and wild football or volleyball bout .As an audience of lasses below bright coloured umbrellas cheer on with their effervescent and unabashed Surti charm.
Kitly kings will be concocting up misty mint flavored tea from textile market’s famous foamy delight-‘Tim tim ‘as onerous laborers run around with rainbow coloured goods to good old Ghodod road’s cutting chai which will help wash down local goodies.
Foodies by nature, Surtis will be seen at all monsoon hotspots around town, relishing hot steamed khichu drizzled with oil and decorated with a generous sprinkle sesame seeds ,chutney lined tomato bhajiyas freshly fried by the ancient anchor at Dumas and pepper laced Sarasiya khajas from Ambaji road. As ash flies, floating out with the aroma of freshly roasted corn on the cob by road side kiosks, run by robust women from villages like Vesu, Bhimpore in bright coloured clothing, fanning the charcoal fire from below plastic hoods that do little to keep them from getting drenched by the downpour.
One could go out and enjoy the weather, view it from the various bridges that connect us to the blue horizon yonder, where palms swish and swoon to the tunes of the monsoon slate.
Just in case you would rather stay dry within the comfort of your home, curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and a great book like ‘Chasing the monsoon ‘by Alexander Frater.Or, better still, soak yourself in the rich text of ‘Meghduta’by Kalidasa what better weather than this to enjoy one of the most romantic poetry ever written -
‘Where from the Moonstones hung in nets of thread, great drops of water trickle in the night. When the Moon shines clear and thou, O cloud art fled to ease the languorous of the women’s plight who lie relaxed and tired in love’s embrace tight.’
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
TAPI TOWN ON A TICKER?
Suryaputri Tapi-the Sun God’s daughter, originates as a pure ,bubbly spring ,full of life in the dense tribal district of Betul, in Madhya Pradesh from a place called Multai.Its name originates from the Sanskrit name Multapi.
While it is the life line of our town and the pride of the city’s rich glorious past, present day sees it contaminated with worst ever effluent industrial waste, sewage drains that flush out in it, algae and river bed vegetation which act as natural polluters and other harmful organisms dumped in by humans and animals.
Our civic body, the SMC, was amongst the first in the country to acquire standards to process and distribute quality water in required quantity on time and implemented the ISO 9001-2000 certificate to improve quality of potable water way back in 2004. Many an anti pollution drives and campaigns have been carried out to try and keep our river clean; sometimes after being alarmed over high levels of pollution or on other occasions, due the discovery of strange red organisms in the water treatment plant at Varachha water works.
The on going, month long Tapi Shudhhi karan campaign is by far the most aggressive and well attended ‘clean our river waters’ drive that we have experienced. In addition to correcting the damage done by the ‘khadis ‘that pour in the polluting factors, well meaning denizens and the civic body have joined hands to make sure that the Tapi stays protected from humans and animals that pollute its ovaras and ghats,with plastic, waste. The campaign will end on 27 June.And, in the rare case that we responsibly carry on the good work; things might just be back to square one or even worst, by this time next year.
Along with being the brightest jewel in the industrial capital of the country, it comes with little surprise that our city has also qualified as being one of the highest polluted. As deadly messages in the form of dead fish have often washed ashore, littering our beaches, dying cattle have had meek protesters and sniffing the gaseous air beyond Piplod as the evening sets in has become a way of normal life for us.
With over 400 textile processing units and more than 600 odd chemical factories that fume, it is little wonder that the presence of Carbon Dioxide in the air is more than 100 microgram per cubic meter than the permissible presence of below 80 micrograms.Yes, we took a giant step with converting our means of public transportation on road into CNG dependant vehicles but our air has worst enemies. As does our soil that has been found to be heavily contaminated with high levels of metals and toxic wastes.
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board has served a general improvement notice this year to industrial agencies. Some of its rules state that ‘All sources of water consumption have to be informed to the GPCB,Effluent discharge like ETP,LETP,FETP etc shall be allowed only through flow meter indicating correct quantity being discharged, any increased generation exceeding CTE(NOC0should be reported immediately, effluents are to be discharged only from authorized points ,only authorized fuel is to be used and any disposal of waste via pipeline connections,leakages,spillage,by pass,burying,underground or outside discharge is illegal.
The notice also states that while law abiding units can enjoy the rights of business and good infrastructural facilities provided by state government, wrong doers are warned that any illegal activities will be punished with ‘dire consequences’-the parody of the situation is, the wrong doers are punishing us already, with ‘dire consequences’.
As the mudslinging and finger pointing for the responsibility of Bhopal-the worlds worst industrial disaster reaches its zenith, lets learn from it and leave a better future for our children to live in ,lest we be known as the Andersons of our times.
Suryaputri Tapi-the Sun God’s daughter, originates as a pure ,bubbly spring ,full of life in the dense tribal district of Betul, in Madhya Pradesh from a place called Multai.Its name originates from the Sanskrit name Multapi.
While it is the life line of our town and the pride of the city’s rich glorious past, present day sees it contaminated with worst ever effluent industrial waste, sewage drains that flush out in it, algae and river bed vegetation which act as natural polluters and other harmful organisms dumped in by humans and animals.
Our civic body, the SMC, was amongst the first in the country to acquire standards to process and distribute quality water in required quantity on time and implemented the ISO 9001-2000 certificate to improve quality of potable water way back in 2004. Many an anti pollution drives and campaigns have been carried out to try and keep our river clean; sometimes after being alarmed over high levels of pollution or on other occasions, due the discovery of strange red organisms in the water treatment plant at Varachha water works.
The on going, month long Tapi Shudhhi karan campaign is by far the most aggressive and well attended ‘clean our river waters’ drive that we have experienced. In addition to correcting the damage done by the ‘khadis ‘that pour in the polluting factors, well meaning denizens and the civic body have joined hands to make sure that the Tapi stays protected from humans and animals that pollute its ovaras and ghats,with plastic, waste. The campaign will end on 27 June.And, in the rare case that we responsibly carry on the good work; things might just be back to square one or even worst, by this time next year.
Along with being the brightest jewel in the industrial capital of the country, it comes with little surprise that our city has also qualified as being one of the highest polluted. As deadly messages in the form of dead fish have often washed ashore, littering our beaches, dying cattle have had meek protesters and sniffing the gaseous air beyond Piplod as the evening sets in has become a way of normal life for us.
With over 400 textile processing units and more than 600 odd chemical factories that fume, it is little wonder that the presence of Carbon Dioxide in the air is more than 100 microgram per cubic meter than the permissible presence of below 80 micrograms.Yes, we took a giant step with converting our means of public transportation on road into CNG dependant vehicles but our air has worst enemies. As does our soil that has been found to be heavily contaminated with high levels of metals and toxic wastes.
The Gujarat Pollution Control Board has served a general improvement notice this year to industrial agencies. Some of its rules state that ‘All sources of water consumption have to be informed to the GPCB,Effluent discharge like ETP,LETP,FETP etc shall be allowed only through flow meter indicating correct quantity being discharged, any increased generation exceeding CTE(NOC0should be reported immediately, effluents are to be discharged only from authorized points ,only authorized fuel is to be used and any disposal of waste via pipeline connections,leakages,spillage,by pass,burying,underground or outside discharge is illegal.
The notice also states that while law abiding units can enjoy the rights of business and good infrastructural facilities provided by state government, wrong doers are warned that any illegal activities will be punished with ‘dire consequences’-the parody of the situation is, the wrong doers are punishing us already, with ‘dire consequences’.
As the mudslinging and finger pointing for the responsibility of Bhopal-the worlds worst industrial disaster reaches its zenith, lets learn from it and leave a better future for our children to live in ,lest we be known as the Andersons of our times.
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