WALKING EVERYDAY IS A GOOD EXERCISE.....

Benefits of walking everyday, from health point of view, are highlighted everywhere. There are numerous sites enlisting the advantages of walking and the major benefits are said to be the following-

1. While walking, the functional parts of our body such as head, eyes, ears, nostrils, lungs, heart, kidney and limbs are physically set in motion. More we walk, more these parts get activated. On a regular walk, our body parts get rhythmically vibrated.

2. We sweat on walking; that is a sign of biological burning of stored excess calories in the body, fat or carbohydrate.

3. On walking, not only one becomes physically fit and active but also mentally pleased. Such pleasant minds form the base for good work and better attitudes.

I started regular walking (everyday) since my school days.... After completing 5^th Class in 1959 in an elementary school located in the neighbourhood of our ancestral house Darbhe in Irde village, Karnataka State, I walked everyday about 6 km from our house for higher elementary and high schools. A young boy, commuting a distance of 12-14 km everyday was not an issue those days. I had no other options either. In the fifties and sixties, there were no higher-level schools nearby. Neither there were motorable roads nor descent walkable tracks in our villages.  The walking trails to high schools traversed through numerous ups and downs, narrow valleys, undulating hilly terrains, bunds of paddy fields, areca and cashew plantations and seasonal and perennial running streams some of them with shaky hanging bridges. From 6^th to standard 10, I walked the distance everyday barefoot. Those were the days; time spent and exertions due to walking were not issues pondered at all...

For Higher education, I moved out of our village and shifted to Mangalore and Chennai cities. Later, on employment and scientific researches, I even went abroad several times. Yet, I didn't stop walking. Rain or sun, within or outside India, I walked everyday morning, about 4-5 km, which I continued all along in Goa.... Essentially, I walked all through......   

Ever-changing life-styles and habits have continuously impinged on our daily routines. In such demanding times, regular walking not only will keep us physically fit but also mentally positive. Positive minds will lead to good work done always...

D. Jayarama Bhat

INCREASING TRAFFIC WOES, EVERYWHERE.......

I had a 2-wheel scooter in the nineties and in which all four of us, my wife, daughter, son and myself, used to ride a distance of about 6 km to Panaji city from Goa University campus via Taleigao, almost twice a week, especially to purchase our regularly used provisions and vegetables. Goa University was fairly new then and, with no shops around and hardly any public transport facility, scooter ride was inevitable to Panaji city. Rain or sun, we rode the scooter, for nearly a decade! A 4-wheel drive car got into our fold towards end of nineties. Traffic was much less then, be it Panjim city or on national highways. Also, everyone was careful on the road.  It is indeed astonishing when looked back; we drove about 270 thousand kilometers in our cars last sixteen years. These are now history...

First decade of this century, lot of water flew in the rivers of our country. Several vehicle manufacturing companies set up shops in India and at periodic intervals rolled out attractive 4-wheel drive speedsters, from nano to high-end sedans. Similar has been the 2-wheelers. Vehicles were sold at competitive prices. There are affordable car loans and attractive exchange offers. Today, one can own a vehicle of choice at ease.....

What about the roads? Though 4-lane and 6-lane motorways were initiated in some parts of our country in the beginning of last decade, not much water has flown in this regard everywhere. Road building did not match the car building. Even those roads built earlier did not see enough repairs and asphalts, especially in the suburban and rural sectors. It was mostly patchwork repairs everywhere. Net result is numerous vehicles on the roads and chaotic traffic due to narrow and bad roads......

Come to Panaji city. Hundreds of 2- and 4-wheel drive vehicles zoom from all corners to the State capital. Everyone is in a hurry; vehicles overtake from front, left and right sides in equal speed and alacrity. One will be lucky if manages to cross the road easily in our cross roads and traffic circles in Panaji and in any corner of the city. Almost all traffic circles and cross roads get clogged with vehicles most often, especially office hours. There are no operating traffic signal lights, in most circles, even in peak hours. It is worrisome and needs immediate attention.....

We drove to Mangalore during Diwali holidays. I avoided the first day thinking that there would be heavy traffic on the road. Surprisingly, other days were no better. The coastal highway from Panaji to Mangalore through all major towns, viz. Karwar, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal and Udupi, the road was full of vehicles, round the day. Like me numerous others; it looked as though everyone was on the road. Vehicles sped in such hurry in all directions and on all sides. I took more than 9 hours to reach Mangalore, a distance of 360 km which we used to cover in 7 hours earlier. Fortunately, the coastal highway from Karwar to down south is now getting widened and will soon become a 4-lane highway.

I had visited some cities and suburbans of northern Thailand and Dubai during past 4 years. These places are marked by well-planned, well-laid and sufficiently wide roads and efficiently managed traffic. Unlike us, people over there exhibit lot of patience and decency on the road and none violates traffic rules.

We in India need strict traffic regulations and road management. Otherwise, in the coming days, it will be more and more chaotic on the roads....

D. Jayarama Bhat                  

Mongoose: A curious animal.....

 

Second day of our stay in Varanasi, last week; we were waiting in the university guest-house for a vehicle to go to Saranath, 20 km away from BHU. Beautiful lawn in front and well-laid hedge plants around, I was watching the numerous, small, cute, yellow seasonal weedy flowers on the ground. Initially buds but the tiny flowers opened slowly as the sun came up. All of a sudden, a small squirrel-sized creature giggled around and chuckled near my feet. I sensed curious but the animal vanished into nearby bush. I stood undisturbed for a while. The animal reappeared and it was a young, pretty mongoose. It moved around swiftly, climbed up and down the parapet, stood upright on hind legs, went below a parked car and swiftly came back near to me. I clicked a couple of pictures from close, to show to my grand-daughter.....

 

On return to Goa, I looked into literature and gathered a few facts. Zoologically known in the genus Herpestes, mongoose belongs to mammalian Family Herpestidae. It is  indeed a large family. What I saw was an Indian grey mongoose, Herpestes edwardsii. Mongooses are small carnivores, known world over. It seems the name “mongoose” is derived from the Marathi word ‘mungoos’. Though mongoose is native in Asia and Africa, in many countries they were introduced in the early times as a bio-control agent against rats which destroy agriculture produces in the rural. Mongoose size ranges from a big garden lizard to a medium-sized cat. Some species live single but most move around in small groups, especially while hunting and caring offspring.

 

Mongooses have slightly long face, sharp eyes, rounded ears, strong body, thick and furry coat, short legs and long furred tail. They feed on insects, earthworms, frogs and rodents and are active during the day.  It is well known that mongooses fight with snakes, especially cobra and kill them. They have receptors for acetylcholine and thereby protected from snake venom.  It may be a rare sight today, even in the villages, but in our childhood I had often seen snake charmers using pet mongooses at mock fights with snakes.

 

Everything that we see around, big or small, mobile or sedentary, terrestrial or aquatic, ground or aerial is interesting and amusing. This is a curious world... One needs the vision to look at and mind to envision.... 

Let the festival of lights brighten up everyone's lives. Wishing all my friends a happy Diwali and a prosperous year ahead..... 

 

 

D. Jayarama Bhat

A visit to Varanasi.....

On an invitation from Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agriculture Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, I went to Varanasi early this week for 2 days, delivered two guest lectures and discussed with students and staff of the department on biology and taxonomy of agriculturally important fungi. My wife accompanied me and we saw a little of Varanasi, on the sidelines of my stay.

Varanasi

The city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, located on the bank of river Ganga, is the centre of learning of Indian culture, ancient literature, Vedas, music, science, technology and architecture. The city is the symbol of Hindu renaissance and had a special role in the development of our national language Hindi. Sant Tulsi Das wrote the Hindi version of revered Ramayana, ‘Ram Charit Manas’, in this city. Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is famous for Shri Vishwanath Mandir and pious pilgrim Ghats on the bank of Ganga, which include Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, Harischandra and Assi Ghats, to name a few. Lord Buddha preached his first sermon of enlightenment at Sarnath situated at a distance of 20 km from Varanasi. The city is also famous for fine quality Banaras silk saris and muslin clothes.

How this visit came through.....

In the first half of September 1994, we had organized a 10-day duration hands-on workshop entitled ‘Techniques in Aquatic Fungi’ at Department of Botany, Goa University. Dr. Ram Dayal, a specialist on zoosporic soil fungi and distinguished Professor of Mycology & Plant Pathology at BHU was a Resource Person at our workshop. Ten-day long stay in Goa University campus and continued academic interactions, Prof Ram Dayal became a close friend to us. An authority on nematophagous zoosporic soil mycota, Prof. Dayal and his students wrote several research papers and a couple books on these fungi. Before leaving, Dr Dayal invited us to Varanasi and further carefully followed up the matter along with his colleague Prof. Asha Sinha. Twice they invited me earlier but I couldn't make it. Three months ago, Prof. Sinha extended a fresh invitation to deliver two guest lectures in her Department. Now retired from service, I thought that we visit Varanasi, meet Prof Ram Dayal who is now 86 and have a darshan of Lord Vishwanath. That is how we went to Varanasi early this week.....

Guest lectures at Mycology & Plant Pathology Department, Inst. Agric Sciences, BHU.

I delivered my first lecture entitled ‘The Fungi...., addressing global challenges’ on 3^rd Nov 2015 wherein I traced the historical perspectives of fungi, researches made over the time and recent advances in harnessing fungal power to human advantage. On the next day, I lectured on ‘Advances in Taxonomy of Fungi’ in which I elaborated on the past, current advances in phylogenic studies and future of fungal taxonomy.  Both lectures were well-received. Besides, I went around the Department and discussed with staff and research scholars on thrust area of their researches, viz. fungi-mediated biodegradation of organic matter, bio-control of crop pests and diseases using antagonistic fungal formulations and of course nematode–trapping lower fungi. The Department of Mycology & Plant Pathology has done credible work and published valued papers. The department is presently headed by Prof H.B. Singh, my good friend and specialist on antagonistic Trichoderma formulations.

Farmers fair

Coincidence it was, I witnessed a grand ‘Farmers fair’ organized by the Institute of Agriculture Sciences, BHU, on the same day. More than 50 agriculture stalls, numerous farmers, well-displayed produces, the fair is a testimony for high agriculture productivity in the gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh.

Banaras Hindu University campus.

We stayed at University guesthouse in Varanasi. The BHU campus, spread over 4000 acres on the bank of Ganga, Is one of the largest educational institutions in Asia in terms of its academic activities, number of departments, learning centres and student strength. Well-laid roads, lush green parks, tall trees, expansive buildings, several hostels and a replica of Vishwanath temple, the campus is bubbling with vibrant activities. Naturally, one needs extra time to go around and see the whole place. 

City of Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat

Evening of first day, we saw the city of Varanasi, especially Kashi Vishwanath temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat. Roads in Varanasi are most crowded with vehicles of all kinds, from carts and cycle-rickshaws to high-end sedans and people of all kinds, pilgrims, business men and tourists. Narrow lanes leading to the temple and river ghats in Varanasi are lined by age-old buildings but always overcrowded. You will have to make your way through and move on. The human mass, young and old, men and women, natives and foreigners, is so vast, incredible and amazing.  There are hawkers, touts and part-time pundits at every nook and corner, offering help. Securities personnel everywhere in the city, one is frisked at a few places near the temple. We felt well-secured there. Above all, people of Varanasi are very kind, generous and most hospitable. Shravankumar, research student of Prof Asha Sinha accompanied us as a guide everywhere. Very kind man, Shravankumar has been most helpful during our stay in Varanasi.

I had visited the Vishwanath teemple once earlier but this visit with my wife was very special. Sanctum sanctorum of the temple is very divine and intensely pious and being there for a while was most exhilarating. One can perform rudra-abhishek and puja to Bhagwaan Shiv any time of the day. Everyone chanted ‘Jai Bholenath’ and rung shankh and ghanta. There is lot of positive energy at the sanctum sanctorum which one can feel always. We sat there for a while and prayed for the betterment of all. Next, we walked to Dashashwamedh ghat and witnessed the famous ‘Ganga-arati’, performed by 8-10 young, energetic, pundits. The sight of ganga-arathi was so grand and elating. It was a beautifully synchronized performing art, I felt. While on the banks of river Ganga, my wife reminisced a unique anecdote. It seems her great-grand-parents visited Kashi Vishwanath mandir about 120 years ago and she is the next in the family lineage to have visited Kashi! Both of us felt deeply delighted.....!  

My wife picked up a few Banaras silk saris. We travelled a short distance in a cycle rickshaw in one of the by-lanes, sipped hot tea in earthen cups and ate delicious food and sweet curds. Every moment of our stay in Varanasi will remain in our minds as green, enchanting memory.  

Saranath

Next day in the afternoon we went to Saranath where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and gave first sermon of ‘ahimsa’ to his disciples. We saw the tall statue of Lord Buddha in a meditation posture, a huge Stupa and original Bodhi tree under the canopy of which Buddha preached the first sermon. The place is so lively with enormous positive energy. One has to visit Saranath to feel what I wrote... My wife is a history graduate and visiting Saranath has been one of her dreams. We did exactly that. 

Prof. Ram Dayal

We paid a fond visit to Professor Ram Dayal residing in Lanka, Varanasi. Now at 86, Prof. Dayal is very alert and well-receiving. He was very happy to see us at his place, one of his realized dreams that he said. Being with him for a while undoubtedly was a moment of great joy for me and my wife. Thanking Prof. Asha Sinha, Prof H.B. Singh and Mr Shravankumar for their many kindnesses, we returned to Goa on the next day.

D. Jayarama Bhat

  

Completed 65 and stepping into 66.....

I completed 65 and entering into 66, today.... Two-third of a century is certainly a good innings.

When retired from regular service in November 2011, a teacher-mycologist I am, my innate desire was to continue teaching and research on fungi a few more years. However, opportunities were not forthcoming readily. My friends advised in many ways. Some suggested that I close my shop in Goa and go back to our native village. A few said I sit at home and relax rest of my life. Some opined that I carry out charity work... Yet, some friends who knew my mycological work from close quarters thought other ways. Professor Kevin D. Hyde, Centre of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand, invited me as a Visiting Professor to his department. I spent one semester each during 2012 and 2013 in Thailand, teaching mycology to young graduates.  It was indeed very exciting period because we also did lot of taxonomic mycology together with his research students. Many thanks to friends at Goa University; past 8 months, I spent at the Botany Department as a Visiting Professor. I taught part of a paper on mycology and plant pathology to post-graduate students in botany. Abundant joy I derived, as students picked up knowledge on fungi with great interest and enthusiasm. A month ago, we conducted the Asian Mycological Congress 2015 in a grand manner. I am more than happy because, as my inner conscience dictated, I worked continuously as a teacher until I completed 65...

There are numerous young students of mycology, seeking assistance in advanced fungal studies. This is my area of interest and I will certainly assist them, online......

Wishing all my students, friends and well wishers volumes of good wishes, I remain.....

D. Jayarama Bhat