We do have a volcano of our very own, and can you imagine it is erupting as you read this article?

It is a volcano on Barren Island in the Andaman Islands. It is the only active volcano in South Asia, and it is currently active. The Island is uninhabited except for a small population of wild goats. This is my 3rd visit to the island. It was deep-sea big-game sportfishing that took me initially to the island, and this time around too, it was fishing that took me back to the island. 

Recently, three of us were on a deep-sea angling expedition in that region. Starting from Havelock Island, we were on a dedicated sport-fishing boat.

While we did a good deal of fishing, the view of the island was just awesome. The sight of the volcano erupting dense smoke, ash, and fire was simply breathtaking. During my first visit, I had spent the night on board anchored off the island (presently spending the night off an anchored boat is not permitted). The night view of the volcano was also amazing. You can keep watching those fireworks that keep lighting up the dark sky. Andaman is home to big game-sport fishes like the Marlin, Tuna, Giant Trevally, Kingfish, Barracuda, Grouper, Wahoo, Sharks and so on. These fish caught are released back into the ocean after being photographed.

Angling is highly absorbing and can reward you with so much joy and excitement. It can give you the adrenaline rush of your life. Believe me, it does. But for angling, I would not have seen the Barren Island and witnessed one of nature’s fascinating wonders.

* Big-game sportfishing, also known as offshore or deep-sea fishing, is a sport that involves catching large fish species using specialised fishing rods and reels. Sports fishermen use artificial lures and handheld rods. This sport requires skill, patience, and endurance, as the targeted fish are strong and often put up a challenging fight. All the fish caught are safely released back into the ocean. 
* While the volcano at Barren Island is erupting continuously, major eruptions were witnessed in 1787, 1991, 2005, 2017 and 2020. A large part of the volcano lies underwater, with only the tip forming the island. The waters around Barren Island are known for rich marine biodiversity, including manta rays, reef sharks, and coral reefs.
* For more information on fishing / water sports / trips to Barren Island, contact captainhooks.havelock@gmail.com; Ph: 74308 13322, WhatsApp: 9434280543.
* The Chennai coast too has a lot of fishing. For gear, advice, etc., one can contact Anglers Fishing Tackles and Poseidon Sport Fishing in Chennai.

Before the internet era, come Margazhi and one could find umpteen Kolam books on every corner of the street. Households got ready to depict their themes through ‘pulli’ kolams, ‘sikku’ kolams, traditional kolams or just free hand.

In an era when those books have vanished and kolam has gained the status of street art, Besant Nagar resident Dr.V.Krishnamoorthy and his sister Leela Venkatraman have created an app (by Learnfun Systems) that anyone can install and generate a variety of customised kolams. “Kolam can be simple as well as very complex. Through the app, we want to reach out not only to the beginners but amateurs alike,” explains Krishnamoorthy.

Combining tradition with cutting-edge technology, this ambitious project brings the beauty and mathematical intricacies of Kolam to a global audience through educational tools, digital platforms, and interactive experiences. “Kolam isn’t just art; it’s a combination of symmetry, mathematical precision, and cultural heritage. Our project presents Kolam as an innovative tool for scientific thinking among the youth,” says Dr. Krishnamoorthy.

The app, available in both Windows and Apple is divided into 10 parts, each focusing on a unique aspect of the art:

• Books and E-books: Detailed books exploring Kolam’s history, themes, and applications, including ‘Kolam: A Comprehensive Guide.’
• Interactive Software: Programs for creating complex Kolams in various designs and dimensions, including features like 3D effects, rotational symmetry, and integration with other media for printing on fabric and paper. Kolams of straight dots, cross dots and circular dots can be created. Kolam size can be up to 50 x 50 dots with 3 kinds of ‘suzhi’s’
• Children’s Coloring Books: Engaging resources for young learners, promoting creativity through Kolam patterns.
• Games and Puzzles: Interactive educational games designed to stimulate critical thinking and coordination skills, with challenges like ‘Odd Man Out’ and ‘Make Me Symmetric’.
• Daily Kolam Software: A curated tool showcasing unique Kolam patterns daily.

One of the project’s highlights is its advanced Kolam-generating software, which allows users to design patterns that would be impossible to create manually. From printing Kolams on saris and T-shirts to integrating complex 3D effects, the software unleashes endless possibilities for art and design enthusiasts.

All software and e-books are available for free download in Tamil and English, making the project accessible to students and enthusiasts worldwide. Updates are released every three months to ensure users enjoy new features regularly.

Leela Venkatraman, with her 75 years of Kolam expertise has designed iconic Kolams in temples across Tamil Nadu, including the famous lakh-dot Kolam at Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman Temple. Dr.Krishnamoorthy is a former professor from IIT Madras with over 38 years of experience in computer science and a passion for promoting Tamil culture through technology.

To download the App and for more details, visit www.learnfunsystems.com or contact Dr. Krishnamoorthy at prof.vkrish@gmail.com.

Computer Kolam Competition 2024

Learnfun Systems has announced the Computer Kolam Competition 2024 to coincide with the Tamil month of Margazhi. The contest stands apart from traditional Kolam drawing as participants are required to design their Kolams using the free software package provided by Learnfun Systems. The software unlocks innovative ways to create intricate patterns, challenging participants’ imagination and creativity.

The competition is open to all, with no entry fee. First Prize: Rs.5,000 and many other prizes to be won. Interested participants can download the software and explore its features. Detailed instructions and submission guidelines are available at learnfunsystems.com.

Dr. T.D. Babu, a distinguished marine biologist with a specialisation in Animal Virology, has spent decades working to preserve and understand the intricate ecosystems of our coastal and marine environments. An alumnus of Vivekananda College and the University of Porto Novo, Dr. Babu’s career spins through various roles – from being a Farm Manager at a Coral Sea Farm in Tuticorin to contributing to major projects at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). His work is deeply rooted in both science and social activism, with a focus on sustainable aquaculture, coastal management, and environmental education.

Beyond his technical expertise, Dr. Babu is a passionate advocate for environmental conservation, serving as a trustee of ‘Nizhal’, a member of the Green Committee of Chennai District, and an environment auditor for the Aqua Green Tribunal. His insights have influenced both policy and practice, especially in areas like mangrove protection, sand dune preservation, and sustainable fishing practices. Through his work, he has highlighted the need for greater awareness and action in safeguarding our coastal and marine resources.

In this exclusive chat, Dr. Babu shares his journey, observations, and the lessons he’s learned from his decades of experience working with marine species, environmental activism, and the urgent need for greater public engagement in protecting our natural resources. His closing philosophical quote, “Paropakarartham Idham Shariram” (This body is for the service of others), encapsulates his commitment to living a life dedicated to serving nature and society.

Tell us about your education Sir.

I did my schooling at The Hindu Senior Secondary School, Indira Nagar. Schools have a great impact on shaping our lives. We had a gardening club, wherein we were involved in maintaining a vegetable garden and shared the harvest. That was the first moment of pride where the seeds for love for greenery were sown. After high school, I forwent my MBBS dream as I didn’t want to pay the capitation fee, and went on to join Vivekananda College doing Marine Biology.

Your first Job…..

My first job was as a Farm Manager with Dr. M.Shakthivel, Chairman of MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority) at Coral Sea Farm, spread over 404 acres at Vaippar, Tuticorin. The place was full of salt pans and seemai karuvelam (an invasive species of tree used for firewood). There, I learnt the art of culturing prawns in man-made earthen ponds. Constructing ponds in sandy areas is a challenge as they are permeable. Compacting the sides with clay was costly, and we didn’t have tarpaulin sheets those days. I tried lining the wall with palm leaves, tied it with coir and pinned it with karuvelam. It worked like a charm. It was not only eco-friendly but also provided the local women with a livelihood.

One harvest took one and a half years. Shrimps are nocturnal creatures and I spent a lot of nights talking to them and sleeping under the stars on the bunds! It was an exhilarating experience where I connected with the ocean and saw the changing pattern of the shore, tides, currents etc. The coast became my companion.

In 1996 I joined my mentor at the Aquaculture Foundation of India, Neelankarai, as a Technician and Technical writer. At Mysore Feeds Ltd, Bangalore, a Feed manufacturing company, I was involved in feed formulation and production for cultured shrimps and fish, so we could create our own indigenous feed. Till then, all feeds were imported by India, mainly from Thailand.

When did you come to NIOT?                        

At NIOT, I was part of the ‘Living Marine Source Enhancement for Island Development’ mission focusing on marine lobsters. Lobsters are valued according to their weight. Thus, the tiny catches (75 gms) are discarded. Our mission was to try and grow these tiny lobsters with natural feed (worms and green Mussels) till they grew to the required weight, thus reducing waste. This work was done at a wet lab at Kapaleeswarar Nagar, Neelankarai, where we had large deep tanks replicating their natural environment (lobsters are usually found in the depths of the ocean floor and require a lot of water pressure for growth and reproduction). We were happy to see the growth of healthy lobsters there. I was on this mission for four and a half years.

What were your observations in the aftermath of the Tsunami?

In 2005, the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) wanted to do a survey and report on the ‘Impact Assessment of Tsunamis’ on coastal villages and Aquaculture. Late. Dr. P.Nammalwar, Former Principal Scientist, wanted me to do this. It was a great opportunity to study the coastal profile of TN.

Wherever mangroves and sand dunes were standing guard there were no casualties. While the locality of Karikaattu Kuppam, which had largely encroached into the shore, was devastated totally; the Jambalodai, which was 700 m away from the shore with undisturbed surroundings, was untouched. Dunes give a contour or a slope to the surface, which makes the water slide over it and lose its intensity, diminishing the disaster. Dunes are our coastal guardians.

In Injambakkam, adjacent to M.K.Radha Salai, there is a wetland. Recently, CMDA has flattened out all the dunes to make way for some development programmes, despite knowing that it is an ecologically sensitive area. Do you know how many years it takes for a natural dune to be formed as a first line of defence? Isn’t it atrocious to raze it away in a day?

Why doesn’t anyone question this?

Who is aware of the consequences? When we enter a wooded place, there are warning posts with essential information for the visitors, but there are no such posts placed on our beaches indicating that it is part of the sensitive Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ). I have observed that wherever the coastal ecosystem was not disturbed there was no danger to habitat or lives. 

How many are aware of OSR land and that it belongs to the community? Lack of awareness among the public is the main cause of encroachment of our rights. 

Why is there so much encroachment on the coast?

Earlier there used to be fishing hamlets under Grama Natham. Fishing communities were entitled to live in these hamlets for generations. When politicians started giving them pattas in individual names (for their own political mileage), trouble started. People started to encash it. How else do you see concrete structures along the shore by outsiders?

It is an irony when people or even scientists talk about the ocean invading the land. It is actually we who are encroaching on the sea.

Are there people who take environmental safety seriously?

A handful maybe. Dr.Vijayakumar, IAS, a veterinarian who was the Regional Deputy Commissioner (South Chennai), distributed copies of the Tamil magazine Vikatan that carried an article on Ridley Turtle Conservation. But, sadly such people just disappear, unable to carry on their good work. Ultimately, it is the people who should take the initiative and take a stand. After all, it is a question of our survival.

What can be done to inspire youngsters?

We are conducting Tree walks, coastal walks, heritage walks etc. But creating awareness alone will not work. They must graduate to the next level of Action. I joined Nizhal only as a participant, but now I am a Trustee in it. I found like-minded people and was levered to take action. It is not enough to have knowledge of trees and know their names. You should have a passion to serve; take care of the trees in your street, or at least stop tree abuse. Local bodies should involve the community in their projects.

As a State Coordinator for the Network for Fish Quality Management and Sustainable Fishing, which falls under the Ministry of Commerce, I had to verify the licenses for fishing boats, ensure that they don’t use equipment that harms fish, and ensure hygienic practices in fishing, handling and preserving the catch. I was horrified at seeing the inhumane conditions in the fish market. 

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change, has submitted a report to Ministries, noting the spots where the coastline is inundated and vulnerable for being submerged in the sea. It has been mapped out. You will be shocked to hear that there is real estate happening now in such vulnerable zones.

“Paropakarartham Idham Shareeram”. The entire life cycle of every tree, every river is only service. Likewise, Man, with 6 senses, has been created by God only to serve others. We should remember that and coexist with Nature and its creations.

To our readers…

Culture can be inherited only through grandparents and not parents, is my firm belief.  To the young generation, I would say: Do not ignore the treasure trove of experiences of the older generation. They revolved around 3 S – Sharing, Serving and Societal love. The present generation is mostly – Self, Selfie and Selfish.

T.D Babu resides at Sastri Nagar and can be contacted at 98841 14721 or babu_ciba@yahoo.com.

Recognising this gap in the market, Asfaq Jalal, a 20-year-old student from IIT Madras, collaborated with his friends Amal and Jai to develop the mobile app QPo Shareride. This innovative app helps commuters easily locate available share-autos nearby and request rides with just a few taps on their smartphones.

The App also benefits auto drivers, by enabling them to identify areas where passengers are waiting, making it a win-win situation for both commuters and drivers.
Launched on Aug.15, QPo Shareride allows users to download the app from the Play Store and sign in to access its features. Commuters can choose their nearest pickup hotspot, see real-time locations of available autos, and raise ride requests to nearby drivers.

The drivers will be intimated about the potential customers in the areas near the allotted location spots. This allows the drivers to easily connect with potential passengers.

The app currently covers the route stretching from Madhya Kailash to SIPCOT and includes notable landmarks (such as popular malls and hotels), where commuters typically struggle to find transportation.

Asfaq and his team embarked on this project in early January, collaborating with CSE department students from the St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, OMR. Their passion for entrepreneurship and innovative solutions drove them to come up with this project. With a dedicated team of around 15 students, they have garnered considerable recognition for their project.

“We are very enthusiastic about startups in general,” Asfaq shares. “We decided to work on this idea because we saw a significant need for an app to navigate throughout the city. So far, we have more than 30 share-auto drivers onboard and more than 200 users from the commuters’ side. With ongoing developments and positive feedback from users and drivers alike, we are optimistic about the future of QPo Shareride. We look to improve the app’s features to transform urban mobility in Chennai. If things go well, we plan to pitch this concept to investors,” he adds.
In a city where getting around can be difficult, the QPo Shareride app offers a smart solution, making commuting easier and more efficient for everyone.

Sharan and Porvika’s wedding invitation (Aug.30) was more than just an invite. It laid out hard-hitting facts bare, probing invitees on their sustainability choices. The invite stated: 

Over 20% of wedding food is trashed, Rs.10,500 crore wasted yearly;

Over 1,500 plastic bottles are discarded;

Over 2,000 kg of waste is generated at a single wedding;

The carbon footprint of a wedding is equal to cutting 100 trees;

So how did the families make a difference? Adyar Times spoke with the families and here are just some of the many steps they took…

Choosing a venue that supported their goal of sustainable practices

The families went to umpteen venues before finalising Illam Hospitality and Banquets, Sholinganallur. “The hall was featured in one of the leading newspapers for its sustainable concept. When we visited it, we were also very impressed by their ethics and efforts. Their interiors were made from fallen trees and doors of old houses, curtains from repurposed sarees and veshtis, and they had an onsite composting unit. There were no second thoughts after seeing this,” beamed V.M.Sankaran, father of the groom and a Kasturba Nagar resident. 

With the beautiful decor already in place, the families didn’t believe in cluttering the hall with more decoration. “We opted for minimal decor, using only compostable and reusable materials,” said Sankaran. Their decor included bamboo, potted plants, cane furniture and garlands strung in banana fibre only. “We went to Koyambedu to find a supplier who was ready to string flowers only in banana fibre as it would make the decor truly compostable. Post-event we dried and reused the flowers also,” explained Kanaga, mother of the groom. At the wedding venue, the invitees were welcomed by a beautiful blackboard announcing the bride and groom, instead of plastic banners. 

Choosing a caterer who supported their vision

The families were very clear that there would be absolutely no single-use items used as part of catering – water bottles, paper cups, etc. And they did find a caterer who agreed to serve water and liquids in steel tumblers, glass bowls and melamine ware. This ensured that there was no dry waste at all and all the waste generated was compostable. “It definitely cost us a bit more to employ labour for the cleaning of the utensils, but it evened out with the other sustainable decisions we took,” Sankaran elucidated. 

The families also decided to keep the menu simple with fewer items, to appeal to all alike, thus minimising food waste. “We also instructed the caterers not to serve food until the guests sat down,” highlighted Priya, the bride’s mother and added that they also tied up with a local ashram for donating the remaining food.

Even during the wedding ceremony, for the ritual of Oonjal, the riceballs were not laced with any chemicals, but natural colours. The elderly ladies were requested to throw the balls into designated bins which were later composted. During the same ceremony, the bride and groom were given an organic cloth handkerchief with natural coloured block-printed designs.

On the stage, the sweets and savouries (bakshanam) were placed on mandarai leaf and the same was distributed to the guests in a palm leaf basket along with the unbleached tambulam bag.

Throughout the different ceremonies, the guests were treated with drinks like buttermilk, paanagam and fresh fruit juices without white sugar.

Personal choices

“How did the meticulous planning happen for the wedding? How many days did you sit and brainstorm?” I asked the families, as I listened in awe at the lengths they went to make the wedding a near-zero-waste one.

Laughing, they said that commitment to a cause shows you the way ahead, “For any purchase we made, we were conscious that the money spent must be for a cause as much as possible.” The mandarai leaves and palm leaf boxes were procured from SHGs from interior Tamilnadu and the unbleached tamboolam bags were by  Sura, a social enterprise, that works with women in rural Cuddalore on skilling and sustenance.

They also decided to share only e-invites and printed only minimal invitation cards using recycled paper. 

The families also made a conscious decision to buy clothes only for the muhurtham ceremony – mainly cotton handloom, that too from places actively supporting artisans – Tula (Indira Nagar), Blue Lotus Handloom and Porgai Artisans. For all other ceremonies, all of them, including the bride and the groom, wore borrowed pre-loved costumes.

Feedback and verdicts

I asked the couple if it took any convincing to go the eco-way and they stated, “Absolutely not. Both the families are committed to sustainability and so it just clicked. ” The couple’s commitment also shows up in their daily lives – they mainly use only cycles to commute and do not use air-conditioners at home. How is it possible in this heat, I wonder, “Start it and you will get used to it!” they chimed. 

What was the reaction of the guests at the wedding about your concept? “Everyone appreciated it, especially the idea of the palm leaf boxes. Took many of the guests back to their childhood days!” said Sankaran as he shared the numerous appreciation messages he received. One of them said, “To suit one of the befitting Gandhian principles – It’s easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone. On witnessing the couple wearing Khadhi clothes – I can’t find any words to express my gratitude towards entire family members except to stand alone with crossed hands to respect the traditional couple where our greetings are reciprocal to their attire depicting ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world’.

Are sustainable / eco-friendly weddings expensive? “While some of the ideas may incur a cost, like employing labour for washing utensils, that can easily be offset by reducing your expenses in other departments like avoiding artificial fancy decor and minimising shopping etc. All in all, going green does not hike the costs. If done right, in fact, it can actually be cheaper!” they shared. 

The families ended by saying that, even though they did their best, the perfect zero-waste wedding is still a dream considering current societal expectations. 

Sharan and Porvika’s wedding was not just a celebration of love, but a powerful statement about living sustainably and thoughtfully, and that a meaningful celebration doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment. This wedding was the 3rd zero-waste wedding by a resident of Kasturba Nagar. In their commitment to sustainability, such families set a benchmark for future weddings. In a world where extravagance often overshadows responsibility, these weddings stand as an inspiring reminder that with the right mindset, even life’s grandest moments can leave behind a greener footprint.

Sharan and his family can be contacted at sharanssundar@gmail.com.

To know more about the other eco-friendly family events, click the link: Kasturba Nagar residents show the way to near zero-waste events

This accomplishment was achieved when she was 3 years, 5 months, and 26 days old and has been officially recognized by the Worldwide Book of Records. Mokshitha’s abilities extend far beyond this achievement – she can effortlessly identify multiple flashcards, fluently recite numbers, and alphabets, and has memorized numerous rhymes. 

Mokshitha is a resident of Thiruvanmiyur. Her parents can be contacted at 8056118224, jananipriya842@gmail.com.

In this moment of misfortune, a spark of human kindness emerged. C. Balu, a dedicated driver of a battery-operated vehicle with Urbaser Sumeet, noticed the lost jewellery while segregating the waste. Recognising its significance beyond mere value, he acted with integrity and returned the gold chain to its rightful owner.

Kamakshi expressed deep gratitude to Balu and the Urbaser Sumeet team, praising their exceptional service and commitment to honesty. This act is a reminder that goodness often reveals itself in the simplest moments, through quiet gestures of integrity and care.

Arjun enjoys the rush of adrenaline because he is also an outdoor sportsperson. With months of meticulous planning on the best route, and rigorous fitness training required for such a journey, he started on his Trek 520 bicycle in December 2023, to travel 3600 km. 

He rode through a medley of scenic places, exotic locations, dangerous forest zones, fatal roads, in browbeating heat coupled with the constant humdrum of traffic. In the ghat roads, he was at Cloud Nine and had a breezy ride. As he travelled South the heat and noise wormed its way and challenged his mental faculties. He took his breaks wisely, once when he was bitten by the stomach bug, probably instigated by the street food; and the other when he rode 97 km without a stop till 2 am, just to test his endurance; he chided himself for being a mad guy.

While on a morning walk, his encounter with a tiger within 30 km distance, with nothing to defend himself, is spine-chilling, but Arjun makes the moment  seem light by commenting, “ I could have been his breakfast.”  Finally, on nearing Salem he hitchhiked rather than be a roadkill. He wanted to reach Kanyakumari and not Hell! Arjun was overcome with mental fatigue and decided he was satiated with the adventure. His joy on reaching the tail end of India and his journey is almost palpable. We too breathe a sigh of relief on reading that the trial is OVER.

He had his pilot vehicle within 20 minutes of proximity throughout the journey, to address any emergencies en route.

Arjun Mark has chronicled the whole journey in a blog. The travelogue is an interesting read and a good guide to aspirants who wish to embark on a similar trip. Stunning pictures captured at interesting and mind-blowing scenic spots is a special treat in itself. Excerpts from the Blog are given below for our readers:

On leaving Kashmir, there was an excellent road for 100 km with a thrilling view of military convoys seen all along. The next 100 km was a scenic ride across the ghats with a lot of downhill and uphill turns. The ride to Phagwara was misty, but enjoyable because it was December. The loud Jhatt Punjabi music in hundreds of tractors all along the way resonates the hills making the ride memorable. I then shifted to a service lane which was very foggy and riding alone became a bit monotonous.

I started early from Panipat, as I loved riding in the fog. Play some music on your headphones to replace the traffic sounds and you’ll reach in a jiffy! Once you enter Delhi, the traffic and the pollution on the road hits you badly. 

Between Agra and Gwalior one had to look out for stupid dumb bikes and cars randomly trying to kill you from all directions. It’s like you are playing Carageddon on your Xbox. (Drive carefully Arjun). It is here that we enter Rajasthan from UP, for a little bit and enter MP. So you cover three states on the same day. A common sight across all three states was the cow dung drying all along the roadside. In Rajasthan, it was vertically placed, and in other states, it was placed flat.

It is now Day 10 and I am driving between Gwalior and Jhansi. The entire shoulder I could see people spitting on the road. I had to carefully dodge them to enter the warm Jhansi. A boring nasty drive. 

There was a light drizzle with a lot of fog; Riding on a bridge, with a massive wide river and a scenic reservoir beneath. A sickening scene along the highway was dead cows everywhere hit by speeding vehicles. Riding from Lalitpur to Sagar I could sense a little pain. Probably with no motivation and no sighting of the sun either, since I left Kashmir. At Sagar I decided to take a couple of days break, only to rejuvenate my mind. Riding solo with the consistent noise of the traffic gives you mental fatigue. Physically, I was fit as a fiddle.

From Sagar to Mungwani (150 km), traffic was low, and the roads were good. For some weird reason, most people on this road are fascinated by your blinking headlights and keep gesturing that your lights are on and that you need to turn them off! Some entertainment!!

Now, on the way to Rukhad. The road becomes scenic and enjoyable with forests on either side.  The sun becomes harder hereon. Strangely, I found broken glass all over the shoulder throughout the stretch. Never seen so much glass on any other road ever! This road had the least traffic but the most number of car and truck accidents. Also, I had bad stomach flu, hence I bonked and had to hitchhike from halfway through. Shit happens!! But I recuperated fast with the invigorating ambience of my stay, well tucked inside the tiger reserve overlooking a lake.

At daybreak, I walked up to the lake beside my cottage to spend some time. As I walked back, I spotted a tiger just 50 m away. Encountering a tiger in the wild when on foot was a spine-chilling experience. It had obviously been watching me all along. 

I realised then, I could’ve been its breakfast! On Day 15, that was a close encounter, and the most memorable moment.

Today was also my fastest 100 km. If you love wildlife and wilderness, this elevated road which cuts across the Pench forest reserve, to facilitate the wildlife to walk across, is a monumental ride.

Though I covered the 100 km between Nagpur and Adilabad at a good speed, the traffic, heat and zero scenery made it a punishing ride for me. The 235 km that followed, I had covered in 19 hours; what with the loaded bags and a heavy bicycle this is a strict NO for anyone to try. ( You must be mad, Arjun!)

After a painful, yet personally satisfying 19 hrs of testing my endurance level, it was 2 am and no place to halt. I thought I would faint, so I took a free ride to Hyderabad city. I really deserved this to conserve the little energy I had.

On Day 19, riding to Sankalamaddi, I felt the first signs of desperation. I’m wondering why I am putting myself through this extreme pain. My brain is totally fried. Pushing beyond 100 km to get to Kurnool gets too boring and painful mentally. I need to just hang on and carry on. ( Bravo Arjun!) If the way to Anantapur was the ultimate mental fatigue test, the ride to Hoskote was the last straw and I was mentally giving up due to the heat. Nothing was working my way in my favour today, what with the heavy headwind and the uphill climb. Today was my encounter with the first k2k cyclist. I also saw a huge python alongside the road. Someone had killed it for no apparent reason.

Day 23 from Hosur to Salem was mostly downhill and should have been a breeze. But ironically this was one of the most painful days;  by now my body and mind have almost shut down due to extreme fatigue as I’ve not taken a break over the last 600km. Every pedal is a hell of a task. Trucks are just two feet away speeding. Scary road post 80 km from Hosur. 

The road to Madurai via Karur was very scenic with palm trees and hills; One of the most enjoyable days of the entire trip. The road to Tirunelveli is full of windmills, paddy, palm trees and partridges. 

I started very early, today being Day 27 and I am at the tail end of my venture. Had a good tailwind. I reached Kanyakumari even before I knew it! 

Finally…DONE!

Arjun Mark is a resident of Sastri Nagar. Visit his blog for detailed breakdown of the trip https://arjun724.wixsite.com/bicycle.

It was only a few years ago that Adyar Times highlighted a hero from our neighbourhood – Major General H Dharmarajan, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur, who had been awarded an Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (Feb.6, 2022 Edition). He has, on July 19, been conferred the highest award for distinguished service in the armed forces – the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, by the President of India who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Dharmarajan is the son of Late D.Hariharan and Malathi Hariharan who have been residents of Valmiki Nagar for nearly four decades. It was a matter of pride for the people of Tamil Nadu to witness the glittering ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan where officers of the armed forces were conferred with the coveted recognition of their dedicated service to the Nation. Having done his early schooling at Vanavani School (IIT – Madras), he was selected as the only candidate from the state to join the Rashtriya Indian Military College at Dehradun in 1977. He went on to stand first in the National Defence Academy entrance exam. Dharmarajan has bagged as many as 13 different recognitions during the course of his more than 37-year career. Six of which are Presidential notified awards.

Having participated in extremely hazardous demining operations with the commandos while in Sri Lanka during Operation Pawan in 1987-1988, Dharmarajan successfully carried out the recovery and disarming of numerous improvised explosive devices. It was during one such operation in the thick Wanni jungles of Vavuniya that he was grievously injured while working with the special forces. Another Chennai-ite, Brigadier Dr.R.S.Rajan, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Military Hospital (Pune), performed the one-of-a-kind heart surgery to literally grant Dharmarajan a second lease of life in February 1989. He went on to participate in a variety of challenging operations – from the disputed frontier to the war zones in the United Nations Mission in Angola. 

Besides, the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, he has earlier been awarded an Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, two Sena Medals (one of which was for gallantry in Sri Lanka), a Vishisht Seva Medal and a Mention-in-Despatch for another act of gallantry. He also has the privilege of having been recognised for significant actions along different fronts twice by the Chief of the Army Staff, as also by the Army Commanders of the Northern, Western, Southern and the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff. He was also conferred recently by the Capacity Building Commission of India (CBC) as an Innovator in Public Administration, and his case study has been included in the training being imparted to IAS Officers. 

He is a distinguished graduate not only from the National Defence College in Delhi and the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington but also from the National War College at Washington DC, USA. Besides, he is also qualified at the Israel Defence Forces in the International Liaison Course. Further in his international achievements, he received a Diploma in the International Fellows Programme in the USA in 2011 and completed a Comprehensive Crisis Management Course in Honolulu, Hawaii. This officer’s involvement in multicultural outreach extended to the Royal Bhutan Army, Israel Defense Forces, Jordan Army, Kyrgyzstan Army, Philippines Armed Forces, Sri Lankan Army, UK Armed Forces, and the US Military. 

Dharmarajan with his technical background, dealt with numerous projects, technology development and being a part of the army’s procurement chain, gained in-depth experience in the management of public finance in the Army’s Budget, especially in the COVID era. Having attended the Independent Directors’ Course at IIM, Mumbai, he has been registered in IIDB (IICA), 2023. He was also the Commandant of the prestigious Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and earlier a part of the UNAVEM-III Indian Contingent (1995-96) and undertook high-risk operations with Uruguayan, Romanian, Brazilian, Zimbabwe, South Korean, Bangladesh, Zambia, Ukrainian contingents. He conducted UN Secretary General Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali in the Mission Area Angola. He has multinational peacekeeping interaction insights, along with exposure to UNIFIL, UNDOF, and UNTSO, besides MFO (Sinai), and LAWIO (Rafah) in 2000.

The Officer has also pursued a notable writing career, with an independent perspective espoused in various articles, and has been awarded consistently for exceptional dissertations at the National Defence College, New Delhi 2016, National War College, Washington DC, USA 2011, Indian Army Gold Medal Essay 2007, Defence Services Staff College, India 1999, College of Military Engineering, Pune, India 1993, United Services Institution (India) Medal Essay 1989, National Defence Academy India, 1985. He has a keen interest in yachting, parasailing, river rafting, trekking, cycling, and rock climbing – a small testament to his keenness for adventure far beyond just his work. 

He superannuated earlier this year as the General Officer Commanding of Bengal, where he was also associated with facilitating the chambers of commerce and industry, and the civic administration towards benefitting the economy of the State.

Dharmarajan has undertaken numerous humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, including earthquakes in Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra, floods in the North-East, Himachal Pradesh, and Angola, as well as demining in Sri Lanka, Rajasthan, and Nagaland. These words are a mere attempt at exemplifying Dharmarajan’s contribution to the country as an Army Officer. He continues to deliver post-retirement, in fields such as capacity building, innovation and research. There is no doubt that this is not the last we will hear of him.