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Desert National Park Book by GS Bhardwaj raises concern for wild species, Harsh Vardhan’s review

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Desert National Park is a long cherished dream of Dr. GS Bhardwaj who raises his concern for wild species 

Have you heard of a Government officer pulling up Government? Meet this fire brand forest officer of Rajasthan cadre to know why he spares none while defending wild species in India’s lone Desert National Park. It is ironically described as a National Park while, in fact, it is a Sanctuary. Its land is not actually owned by Forest Department.  

Dreams come true after 10 years

It has taken nearly ten years for Dr. G.S. Bhardwaj to accomplish his long cherished desire to do a book on Desert National Park, he served long ago. He is famed for his scientific bent, species specialization, identification, photography and writing, an assignment he executes with impulsive pursuits. He is  Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest in Rajasthan and presently posted as  Secretary at the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. 

Meet the co-author Dr Rehmani

Dr. Asad R. Rahmani joined him as co-author to contribute his 35 year long encounters with wild species in this park while he followed Great Indian Bustard conservation for the Bombay Natural History Society, lastly as its Director. 

Officials admit it is a challenge to conserve Great Indian Bustard

The formal launch was performed by Shreya Guha, Principal Secretary for Forest & Environment, Government of Rajasthan.  Smilingly she commended this effort. She admitted that it had been a major challenge to conserve Great Indian Bustard in that habitat, criss-crossed by power lines often causing fatal accidents to these critically endangered  birds. The power companies, at long last, have agreed to put reflectors over live electric transmission lines so that birds can divert their flights and save themselves from this new death-trap. However, laying  power lines underground in Thar region still hangs in balance, she bemoaned. Having heard her on the questionable habitat, one wishes this officer to lead more events to curate conservation as she sounds to be a worthy candidate.  

Ms. Shruti Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and HOFF, Rajasthan, congratulated Dr. Bhardwaj for this accomplishment.  Mr. ML Meena, Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Rajasthan, shared his experiences of this Park.

A conservation tapestry

Dr. Bhardwaj showcased stunning photos of wild species he photographed and explained about their status, precarious or encouraging. He caused almost a typhoon of images to weave a conservation tapestry of this habitat hosting some rare species and facing massive demographic pressures.  The 118-page book is sponsored by Hem Chand Mahindra Foundation and printed by The Corbett Foundation. It has  messages from Ashok Mahindra (HCMF) and Dilip K. Khatau (TCF). The Foreword is by Mr. Ravi Singh, CEO of WWF – India.

The start realities of the habitat

The book is a candid portrayal of stark realities of this habitat: a significant centre of endemism,  99% of its area is revenue land dotted by 73 villages with 300 ‘dhanis’ (hut-settlements) blunted by nearly a tenth of a million population, yet housing an amazing species diversity,  the  Imperial Sandgrouse (Black-bellied) not been reported for some years,  Cream-coloured Courser now breeding there, the park getting eroded by habitat destruction and ineffective protection measures, poaching being rampant despite consistent denial of the allegations by the local authorities, etc. Truth aired emotionally.  

A silent hero who speaks with his actions

Photography outwits text or vice versa? Not easy to raise a question mark. It is delight to eyes and solace to mind.  The author has been part of the Wildlife Institute of India led ex situ breeding of Great Indian Bustard. Yet barring single photo (not clear on page 114), he has maintained a Sphinx-like silence over this success, claimed as global accomplishment through Department of Forest, Rajasthan. When it comes to  accolades, he tries to maintain low profile. The book shall remain as an all time record for this arid home for wildlife and people alike, both highlighted with  lusty zeal.

PS: Caption for feature photo on book release (from R to L): Dr. G.S. Bhardwaj, Ms. Shruti Sharma, Ms. Shreya Guha, Mr. M.L. Meena and Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, releasing the book, “Desert National Park” EBNW conveys congratulations to all associated with this unique effort.

Who is Nirav Modi whose extradition has been permitted from UK Court

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Nirav Modi, 49, is an Indian business who was arrested in 2019 from a metro station in London on an extradition warrant.

He was charged by Interpol and the Government of India for making a criminal conspiracy for being a part of $2billion fraud case.

His several attempts at securing bail were turned down as he was deemed a flight risk.

Nirav Modi faces two sets of criminal proceedings; first, a CBI case relating to illegal letters of undertaking or loan agreements which is used to clear crores in loan to the jeweller, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case related to the laundering of proceeds of the fraud. 

He further faces two additional charges of evidence tampering and intimidating witnesses.

New Social Media Guidelines: Reveal first originator of message

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Social Media Guidelines & Rules for OTTs and digital media include new rules announced by Indian government for intermediary platforms, and social media intermediaries as well as for digital media and over the top (OTT) content players

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY) announced its draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, for social media platforms, OTT players & digital media. Here comes the ruling:

1. The government wants social media companies to follow a thorough mechanism to address complaints from users. It wants social media intermediaries to have:

  • Chief Compliance Officer He will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and Rules.
  • Nodal Contact Person for 24×7 coordination with law enforcement agencies.
  • Resident Grievance Officer He shall perform the functions as said under Grievance Redressal Mechanism.

All these officials have to be residents of India.

Track originator of a message:

The ‘first originator’ of a message should be tracked. It further wants the significant social media intermediary to have a physical contact address in India published on its website/ mobile app or both. For players like WhatsApp, this could mean they will be forced to break encryption in India in order to comply.

OTT content platforms, digital media should self regulate

The government asks OTT platforms and digital news media to self-regulate and wants a mechanism for addressing any grievances.

While films have a censor board, OTT platforms will require to self-classify their movies and content based on age.

Rajasthan govt’ The India Toy Fair 2021 to be held from Feb 27-Mar 2

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Rajasthan Government’s industry department is all set for a big show at the Government of India’s The India Toy Fair 2021. It will be a digitally accessible exhibition, trade, and discussion platform for the Indian toy industry to be held between February 27 and March 2, 2021. 

The sector has also been in the focus of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s government in Rajasthan and the state industries department seeks to draw maximum advantage of the national event. Along with the traditional handicraft toys, the state pavilion at the fair will also display its industrial areas optimum for investment in the toy sector. 

The dedicated Sports Goods and Toy zone at Khushkehra Alwar will be a key attraction for the toy manufacturers to visit the fair.

Developed by the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), the industrial area extends the strategic advantage of being located in the national capital region and availability of quality infrastructure and skilled manpower. 

The toy zone was launched shortly before the COVID lockdown but despite the pandemic impact, 21 investors are already in process of establishing their units while many others are also interested to invest here. Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2019 extends several attractive incentives to invest in the toy sector.  

Nearly 7 lakh people have already subscribed for the event, including over 1100 exhibitors.

 During the 4 day event, several eminent speakers will hold discussions on the trends and opportunities in the toy sector. Rajasthan Industries department also looks forward to benefiting from these through participation and learning from the processes.

The Narendra Modi Stadium: Largest cricket stadium in the world

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The Narendra Modi Stadium, earlier known as the Motera Stadium, is the largest cricket stadium situated inside Sardar Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad. 

It is the second largest stadium overall with a seating capacity of 110,000 spectators. 

Owned by the Gujarat Cricket Association, it is a venue for Test, ODI and T20 cricket matches which was constructed in 1983 and was first renovated in 2006. 

It became the regular venue for international matches in the city. In 2015, the stadium was closed and demolished before being completely rebuilt by February 2020, with an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore (US$110 million).

Top 3 features of the stadium

  • The Motera stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium in the world, has a capacity of 1,10,000 spectators
  • The stadium stretches at 63 acres of land in Ahmedabad and is also connected with the city metro
  • About Rs. 800 crore was spent to transform the stadium into a modern architectural marvel

Lyricist Santosh Anand left everyone teary-eyed in Indian Idol 12

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Santosh Anand, a legendary lyricist, appeared on Indian Idol 12 recently and tears rolled down the cheeks of many as his story of struggle came out.

Anand  started his career with Bollywood flick Purab Aur Paschim in 1970. He also penned the lyrics for his most popular song, Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, in 1972 for the movie Shor which was sung by Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar. He has also written hit songs for films like Kranti, Pyaasa Sawan and Prem Rog.

Neha Kakkar, a judge on the show, extended a financial help of Rs 5 lakh when Santosh talked about his financial condition and how he is striving hard to make ends meet. In fact, she also requested everyone to give some work to him.

In fact, Bollywood star Nagma shared his story of struggle and said that his son and daughter in law committed suicide. His son was born after 10 years of prayers. But the man with courage said, “Hosla nahin tut tang tuti hai.”

Sanskrit, the finest language for complex fields like AI

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If a researcher at NASA is to be believed, Sanskrit is the finest language to be used and considered fit for complex fields including Artificial Intelligence where computers can be literally designed in a manner that they are enabled to think for themselves and may not have to be dependent on human commands.

In 1985, a researcher named Rick Briggs at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) published a paper in AI Magazine, titled “Knowledge Representation in Sanskrit and Artificial Intelligence.”

Rick, in his paper, said that the grammar of the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit had significant lessons for this business of natural language understanding for it structured and rule-based.

He suggested that studying the way ancient Indian grammarians worked, might help AI researchers “finally solve the natural language understanding.” 

An excerpt from the paper reads as, “There is at least one language, Sanskrit, which for the duration of almost 1000 years was a living spoken language with a considerable literature of its own. Besides works of literary value, there was a long philosophical and grammatical tradition that has continued to exist with undiminished vigour until the present century. Among the accomplishments of the grammarians can be reckoned a method for paraphrasing Sanskrit in a manner that is identical not only in essence but in the form with current work in Artificial Intelligence. This article demonstrates that a natural language can serve as an artificial language also, and that much work in AI has been reinventing a wheel millennia old.”

Madhubala called as Venus of Hindi Cinema

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Madhubala was born as Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi on 14 February, 1933 and died on 23 February 1969.

Holding multiple skills such as of being an Indian actress, film producer and playback singer who worked in Hindi films, she was screen goddess like none other.

Hers was a life cut short by failing health and despite being adored by millions, she was utterly unlucky in love. The one great love of her life was Dilip Kumar, whom she couldn’t marry. Her eventual marriage to Kishore Kumar was hardly a happy one.

Polo’s Horse Power through Beauty Pageants

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Rajasthan Polo Club has reasons to be cock a hoop.  One more cantering season has come to end. Great events. A smiling Diya Kumari, representing Jaipur House and as an MP,  moved around glitterati at the high tea served after the match. 

Interview with players is a good  addition. “It will take some time for our Club to stage matches to showcase big handicap players and organise mega games in Jaipur,” admitted Padmanabh Singh, son of Diya Kumari.  He is hailed as the present Maharaja of Jaipur. 

The commentator always announces him as the “HH”… there goes HH Jaipur chasing the  ball… and….there….. he finally canters to….. and has scored the first goal for his team. Spectators burst in to clap as he turns his pony to reach the center point.

Championship Cups named after Jaipur’s polo heroes

The Championship Cups are named after Jaipur’s polo heroes. Sawai Man Singh, Sawai Bhawani Singh (father of Diya Kumari), Padmini Devi (Diya’s mother), Sirmoor Cup (named after maternal grand father of Diya), Baria Cup, etc. The Club Secretary sends by post hard copies of invitations to its members, only 182. If not, on the spot invitations are dished out to those seated in the pavilion. Improved management is too obvious. Did you look at the ground? It is basking in memories in case the present generation has ears to listen to it.

March Past…!

Maharaja Sawai  Man Singh II had the distinguished honour to organize polo at this ground in Jaipur. His (third) wife, Gayatri Devi truly  supported him do so, through her beauty and gentle appeal. Man Singh died in 1970 playing polo at ground of Lord Vestey in Britain. Vestey told me about it while we played a cricket match at the same ground for I. Zingari Club. His son Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh carried the tradition wisely. He  was beset with a career in Indian Army. He had no son. Diya, his lone child, did not take to ponies. Her then husband, Narendra Singh rode well to carry forward the tradition. Their elder son, Padmanabh Singh has emerged as a swashbuckling player. He  is stealing hearts of referees and selectors by a mannered combination of riding and stick work. 

History gets abuzz at this ground

This ground has had players from all over the world including Prince Charles, Diana and many noted ones from domestic circuit. Billy Sodhi and his younger brother Pickles Sodhi left their hoof-marks here. Both had served the 61 Cavalry to give India big-name trophies. Pickles married Nafisa Ali, India’s no. 1 swimmer. Kuldeep Singh Garcha, came out of same battalion. He was lucky to receive continued  support from Gayatri Devi to carry forward polo legacy for decades.

Can nation’s polo headquarters function out of Jaipur?

Polo's Horse Power through Beauty Pageants

Jaipur Riders’ and Polo Club is Garcha’s  brain child. His son, Satinder has walked over father’s foot steps.  The club is a niche affair in rearing ponies, coaching and developing it as a tourism product. Their website is agog with videos and photos of action packed sessions they led. They curate to this day. Those who understand the game, nay horse riding admit that present day polo should not peter out after a few week long sessions. Can it not be trotted round the year? If done so, the question of handicaps of players, as pointed out by Padmanabh Singh, will hopefully be better sorted out. His aspirations and problems are well understood.  Hope one day nation’s polo headquarters can function out of Jaipur. 

Jaipur Polo can make a glorious way ahead

Polo's Horse Power through Beauty Pageants
Vasundhara Raje and Kuldeep Singh Garcha, those were the days for polo

Jaipur polo can have a glorious way ahead. It shall mean managerial capabilities more than fund support. The ground remains vacant rest of the time. It is true that many sponsors have faded away, like a liquor baron who caused both players and politicians to become tipsy at mid day. New companies are around. They desire a different hand-shake. Example: in between chukkers, now they  parade  young girls before the pavilion with sponsor’ logos flashing behind them. It is to basically derive some mileage for the sponsoring companies. Good humour: a score of females are too willing to join it. Look at young girls following Padmanabh Singh! Carysil, Shree Cements were among the big logos highlighted this time. The Club’s website can arguably be the sharp tool to draw global attention. Compare it with Garcha’s website. Mind you, both are in private hands.

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