PANGOLIN -Amazing Remnant of PAST AGES

Rarely seen,the most remarkable animal to be found in Indian hilly and plain jungles is the Pangolin, a surviving and living relic of the past ages. I came to know about this weird creature when I was a student of St.Mary's High School, Mount Abu in the year 1952, while reading the autobiography of Jawahar Lal Nehru, independent India's first Prime Minister. The book written in 1932, when he was a political prisoner in Dehra Dun gaol, humorously recounts his life in gaol. Since the gaol was small, as a special case political prisoners were allowed, morning and evening to go for a walk outside the prison gate for a view of mountain ranges, the fields and for a glimpse of the public road.One day as Jawahar Lal was standing at the gate talking to the Jailer, he saw a tribal on the side of the road carrying a strange animal on his shoulder. Noticing the curiosity of freedom fighter, the Jailer obligingly sent for the man. At close quarters, Jawahar Lal Nehru observed a mammal that seemed a cross between a lizard and a crocodile about 2 feet long having claws and scales. The awkward animal, very much alive had been twisted in the form of a knot and the owner had passed a bamboo stick through it and was merrily carrying it on his shoulder. He,called it ' BO' and when asked what he intended to do with it, the man smacking his lips and smiling from ear to ear confided that he would make 'bhujji'- a tasty curry out of it. It was after referring to some books on wild life that Jawahar Lal came to know that the animal was a Pangolin.

Being deeply interested in animals and more so in life history and habits of rare wild life and feeling that the Hills of Abu could be the home of the strange animal, I decided to investigate. I started with our milkman, a local tribal and drew a blank. Then I turned to a wizened Bhil woodcutter and struck pay dirt. The man smiled at the way I described the animal and confirmed having seen it on some occasions while collecting fire wood and called it 'Ban Rohu' -forest fish. Then he indicated the area where I should look, adding that I may be lucky to see the creature lolling in the sun. It being a warm afternoon during my school holidays in December 1952, I set off immediately carrying my air gun and Kodak box camera. The section that had been pinpointed was a small valley in the jungle,off Saal Gaon. The afternoon jaunt was a wasted hike. I did see an occasional rabbit skirting by, some wild fowls, painted partridges and many peacocks. Now more than determined, the next morning after breakfast, I set off again and was at the site around afternoon. It was warm and as I trudged along a not too defined path, I saw the creature lolling in the sun in full glory, camouflaged by the dry grass but as I mumbled 'Eureka' the creature stood upright for a moment and scuttled into the bushes. Now more interested and dejectedly, I loitered around for an hour, hoping for another glimpse of the recluse but no dice. So I returned resolving to get to the bottom of the intrigue. Now looking up a book on wild life seemed a likely solution. In my quest I went to the Public Library in the evening. My query about a book on wild life was Greek to the caretaker but he permitted me to browse the few racks of books available. . Not a single book on wild life existed. On seeing me depressed the caretaker suggested that I may try the elite Rajputana Club library. So I trudged to the exclusive club, to find it open but deserted. I explained my mission to the elderly caretaker and obligingly I was escorted to the library having hundreds of ornately bound volumes, neatly arranged in teakwood polished almirahas. The first almirah yielded what I was looking for- the book ' Jungle in Sunlight and Shadow' written by F.W.Champion, during his posting in Imperial Forest Service of India. A whole chapter suitably illustrated with prints of original photographs was dedicated to the animal.

Champion, a passionate lover of nature and wild life considered the Pangolin as the astonishing survivor of past ages. He had an exceedingly engrossing time in tracing and studying the animal as it spent most of its time under ground in burrows, rarely venturing out in day time. The animal with its armor consisting of thick scales overlapping like those of a fish seemed to have stepped straight out of a journal of ancient ages. The creature is a toothless mammal and so feeds on termites and all insects. Its flesh is regarded as a delicacy and also as an efficient aphrodisiac by tribals and jewelery such as rings crafted from its scales , when worn is termed as lucky charms.

The Pangolin, as a creation of Nature in all its finery, pleases, attracts and at times frightens and Mother Nature alone knows that it aims at and depicts.

SAAHIL - The Leader in Offing

My eldest grandson Saahil has turned seventeen today. Born December 12 1994 in a strong family of six aunts and three uncles, not to mention doting grand parents, his entry to volatile world was through natural birth endured hassle free by his slim and trim petite mom Anisha. Named Saahil by virtue of the first letter of a stanza-Shloka of our holy book- Guru Granth Sahib opened casually . As a baby, he made love strong, home happier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for. He has had commendable upbringing starting with primary education in Sophia High School for girls and boys till primary level. He was disconsolate with the co-ed system at being in minority but continued doggedly till my old alma mater, St.Mary's High School for boys only came to his rescue when he was admitted meritoriously through an admission exam.

He faired well in St.Mary's as a gutsy mediocre and a web addict who found time to study. As he embraced teens he tried to be an odd job help around house and reeling under procrastination, he would take apart anything that needed repair, only to abandon due to lack of expertise and the remark that 'the bloody thing was put together wrong in the first place by dopes who did not know what the heck they were doing.' At this stage he was not good at listening to his elders but never failed to emulate them.

But all said and expressed, Saahil at the tender age of fifteen passed Indian Certificate of Secondary Education examination of University of Cambridge aggregating 65%. Now in pursuance of higher studies he is commuting to Abu Road, 27km away daily to attend St. John's School, once again a co-ed institute. A natty dresser, Saahil, fair, tall and handsome,

immaculate in maroon blazer and worsted trousers, seems a man on the move.

Alex Gets A Home

One evening, to escape the wrath of barking pariah dogs, a stray mongrel sought shelter in my compound. He charged in through the open gate and feeling he was on safe ground, stood with his tail up and glared at his tormentors. The mayhem subsided abruptly. An alert black and white shape, the dog furtively looked around and seeing me sitting on an easy chair and observing him with interest, he favored me with a look of a shepherd at finding his long lost sheep and lay down on his stomach , put his head between his paws and crept slowly and confidently towards me whining gently, wagging his tail in an ingratiating manner and on reaching me rested and rubbed his face on my knee. As I reached to caress him he lifted one side of his upper lip and displaying his white teeth in a lopsided gratifying grin, again wagged his tail in a blur of excitement.

My two grandsons Tanmay and Jatin who had since long cherished having a dog as a pet, playing nearby were distracted and at seeing the visitor had rushed away but were back in no time were back with two slices of bread and a bowl of milk. The bread was relished and the milk was lapped up. Excited, both the boys insisted on keeping the middle aged mongrel and christened him ALEX right away. Honored by the attention, Alex lost no time in following the boys around . They spread an old blanket in the corner of our garage, thus completing the home coming of Alex.

Despite his pedigree Alex has settled down admirably. His day begins with an early morning call at our entrance with a knock on the door and after awaiting an acknowledgment, yelping and wagging his tail happily, sets out for a round of our compound cum garden measuring some one third of an acre. He passes his time by sitting somberly outside our gate to keep out intruders, calling for meals at our kitchen and of course intermittent snoozing.

Sadhu Vaswani-Messiah of Compassion

To millions around the world, Sadhu Vaswani is a name synonymous with reverence for all life. Born on November 25, 1879 in Hyderabad, Sind to serve humanity, Sadhu Vaswani became the living embodiment of unsullied love that knew no bounds, a unique embracing love that included all mankind, animals and other creations. He cared deeply for the birds in the air and animals on earth and protected them whenever he could. More so, he realized the synthesis between the culture of the East and the West and the link between the ancient and new.

He founded the Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Hyderabad,Sindh and after partition of India in August 1947 settled down at Poona and gradually added many spiritual and educational institutes. Citing the activities of Sadhu Vaswani, Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, extolled ' The life of Vaswaniji is a saga of unassuming service, spiritual illumination and source of inspiration to all.' Thus he became one of the leading spiritual luminaries 0f India and a man of compassion and spirit.

He vehemently believed that all that all JIVAS-creatures are eternal and whosoever kills a creature for food or otherwise,hurts the Eternal Heart. In reverence to feelings of Dada Vaswani, November 25 each yearis observed as Meatless- Animal Rights Day.

Guru Nanak- Prophet of Harmony

November 21 this year commemorates the emergence of the Guru Nanak in turbulent India, 540 years hence in the year 1469.

Born to a grocer and apprenticed to the job at a tender age, he set about his task in a humble and philanthropic way and believing himself as a servant of Beloved God, asked nothing for himself but only opportunity to serve mankind. Later he traveled from place to place from Kashmir to Ceylon and also to Kabul and Mecca-Madina. During his travels in Punjab with his Muslim disciple,Mardana, he stayed for a while with a poor admirer, Bhai Lalu in Saeedpur, ruled by a Muslim Pathan tyrant with a Hindu minister, Malik Bhagu. The minister was hosting a Prayer meeting followed by a lavish dinner to which all were invited. Guru Nanak did not attend and his absence was sorely missed. In a rage, the minister sent armed emissaries to summon the ascetic. On his arrival the Guru smiled and asked Milak Bhagu the reason for his tirade. At this the minister thundered " How dare you neglect my function and abstain from lavish food?' To this the Guru replied ' I am a simple man used to simpler and sparse food but I shall partake if such is your desire'. Pleased Milak Bhagu ordered an elaborate layout while the Guru asked Lalu to bring whatsoever he had in stock. All Lalu could bring was a coarse roti. Now Guru Nanak took delicious looking victual of Milak Bhagu in one hand and a piece of Lalu's roti in the other and gently squeezed both hands. The spectators saw blood dripping from delicious food while Lalu's roti oozed milk. Now the Guru turned to the audience and enthused ' the blood is the result of ill gotten riches while the milk an example of honesty and and hard earned living.

By his companionship with Mardana Guru Nanak saw the value of Hindu Muslim comradeship, which alas! is a distant and irresolvable vision.

Rich has been the contribution of Sikhs to Indian history and great is the value of Guru Nanak's message for all those who will make India a force to reckon with in coming years.

Nakki Lake-An impowerished Beauty Spot.

With a belated but an active monsoon, the water woes of Abu have receded to a great extent. The original Upper Kodra Reservoir is full while its counterpart, the Lower Kodra Dam along side St.Mary's High School has overflowed.

However, sadly, the Glamor Point, the once enchanting Nakki Lake, presents an impoverished spectacle with its shrunken expanse of not too clean water. Nevertheless, it is suitable for boating that enthralls the gullible touch point visitors.

Summer Safari

Shortage of water in Mount Abu led to closure of all boarding schools for a month beginning May 15. For the first time in academic history of of the hill station, the boarders were exiled to the sweltering heat of the plains, the temperature crossing over 46 C, at times and the innocents were exposed to uncomfortable existence, acute inflation, scams, accidents, terrorism and so on.

The two schools of prestigious standing namely St. Mary's High School for boys and Sophia High School for girls, reopened on Monday the 14th June with a sunny morning. It being midway to the beginning of the monsoon, the clouds abscond and dryness persists, adding to the woes of suffering population, mostly the business community, that is financially hit on account of a poor summer seasonal as well as school business.