Life around the paddy field

I observed that the birds around the paddy fields have their own set routine of feeding and perching.  Maybe that is why this heron decided "come rain, come sunshine, I will not budge from my perching point"

One of the birds had its nest on this Ithi tree (Ficus Microcarpa) and I found the roots of this tree almost covered the tree trunk.

Was staying near a paddy field for a week where the greenery and the natural sound in that area was very soothing.

I was trying to capture the spider web and a bird made a guest appearance.
The place where we stayed was Vempilly Ayurveda Medical Hospital.

The overall impression I got was that the staff (at all levels) were passionate about their work and there was a personal touch to everything that they did. Also noticed that most of them multitasked, like the guy who did the daily massage for me, also doubled up to deliver the morning 6 am kattan kapi. (coffee without milk)
They grow most of the vegetables in the premises, so when it reaches your table, you can be sure that it is organic.

The food is vegetarian but there is variety in what you eat.

The sowing and reaping of the two acre paddy field is mechanised and very cost effective according to Dr Mathews.

Milk production is also in house and they have a dedicated guy, Mr Murukan from Tenkasi, who looks after the stable.

I could not capture the other treatment in action but in this video you can see the herbal medicine being applied on a person who had plantar fasciitis.

I liked this simple idea of using incense to keep away insects and leave a wonderful aroma.

After a long time I saw a "touch me not" in action.

Kochi Water Metro

These huge trees must have witnessed these nets being lowered and raised a zillion times. This is one of the views you get to see when you travel by the Kochi water Metro.

Kochi became India's first city to have a water metro project. The battery operated electric boats were manufactured by Cochin shipyard limited.
Saw these pictures at Fort Cochin terminal where we boarded the Water Metro. Notice the languages? Apart from Indian languages I could identify Russian, Hebrew, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Urdu, and probably many more as I am not a language expert.

Instead of standing in line, you sit in line. I was impressed by the bench they provided. And there is an additional rectangular sitting area for more seats. I feel the architecture of those seats has got something to do with Fort Cochin.

Before you take a seat, you observe the life jacket box which is easily accessible and they are not locked. (I just checked one of the boxes)

We crossed one of the older boats and I was wondering about the noise and vibration one has to endure on them as compared to the battery operated water metro.

It was cost effective too, just Rs 40 as compared to it being ten times more when travelling by a cab for the same distance.

You will get more information while watching the video
All in all, it was a good experience and can be added as a "must do things" on your next visit to Kochi.
Like the poster says, think blue, go green.

Bus ride in Kerala

After a long time I travelled by bus in Kerala. The first leg was from Airport to Alleppey (Alappuzha) bus stand, and the second leg was from Alleppey to Changanasserry. The total cost came to Rs 157/-

I captured some pictures and videos from the bus. I could do this only after sunrise as I had started my journey at 4 am. The conductor and the driver got replaced at Ernakulam (as this was a long distance bus which proceeded to Trivandrum after dropping us at Alleppey.)

At Alleppey bus stand I had tea, a repeat exercise for me after nearly 55 years ! The method of making the tea is the same (as can be seen in the video) and the flavour is surprisingly the same. The cost of the tea was just Rs10

Boarded the Changanassery bus from there, with the assumption that it would take me through the same route that I had taken 55 years ago, but there were some changes. When I saw the bus entering Kallu palam (stone bridge) I assumed it would take a right turn and head for Irumbu palam (Iron bridge)

But it went straight ahead towards Kottara palam which was flattened out. Earlier this Kottara palam was built very high so that the Travancore King's boat could pass under it. Now there is no Palace and no King, so I presume that bridge was not required.
Coming back to kallu palam, this area was a trading centre about a century ago. Once a week, goods (mostly vegetables and pulses) were displayed on the broad steps next to the bridge and trading took place there. It was more of a barter system in those days. Here is a photo of the Kallu palam clicked by the Government photographer Zacharias D'Cruz. This was clicked way back in 1900

As the bus avoided the city, it reached Kaithavana within no time and I had to quickly click a picture of the church. I found that the church has expanded sideways.

The kodimaram (flag post) is prominent in the middle. This type of kodimaram is usually found in front of churches and temples all over Kerala. The bus took a turn at Kaithavana mukku (junction) and I found that the junction was pretty clean.

Heading straight towards the east, we reached Pallathuruthi. From the bridge we could see all the houseboats parked nearby. This is the starting and ending point of the Alleppey Houseboats.

About 40 years ago if one had to travel from Alleppey to Changanasseri, one had to cross three ferries namely Pallathuruthi, Nedumdy and Kidangara. With the construction of the bridges, movement became faster.
On either side we could see the paddy fields but now they are slushy with residual rain water.

All said and done, it was a comfortable (and cost effective) journey for me, but I found that all the bus stands that I crossed were in very bad shape and needed a complete makeover.
For example I saw a makeshift shelter made by some concerned people at the Changanassery stand.

Hope the present transport minister Mr Ganesh Kumar makes a note of this.
After a week I made my return journey by the same Kerala SRTC Low Floor airconditioned bus.
That is another change I noticed. KSRTC is now known as Kerala SRTC.

And she is Hundred

Ten years ago when I attended her 90th birthday party, she told me "if all goes well, the next milestone should be 100"  

clicked 10 years ago

All is well and she made it, but unfortunately it is a different world. There won't be a birthday party, nor can the near and dear ones come and wish her. 

Before the lockdown, whenever I visited her, I could see her sitting at her table, painting a fabric or knitting. 

The usual time when she sits at the dining table and paints is from 9 am to 1 pm.

Whenever any machine stitching has to be done she uses her grandson's room.

There are many well wishers who are waiting with sarees and fabric so that she will find some time to paint them. (there is some voluntary payment too done by the well wishers)  

Two months ago this saree was picked up by a well wisher for Rs 11000/-  

First she draws the outline 

Then she fills it up with colours. Painting on tussar silk is not an easy task.  Each saree takes about three months.

Imagine, being 100 and still earning, and in the bargain keeping yourself occupied both mentally and physically.

Padmavati (Padmam) is ninth in the line of ten siblings. You can have a glimpse of her family tree in this short video.

the family tree

standing, third from left

Having lost her husband at an early age, she brought up her five kids in a very disciplined way. She spend her early life in Kerala. After getting married, she moved to Bombay and later settled in Pune with her daughter. 

In keeping up with the changing times, she is deft at sending e mails and receiving messages on WhatsApp.  
Some of her work adorning her drawing room.

Another activity that I enjoy at her place is having the Onam sadhya (lunch) with her every year.

Her daughter in law (Dr Geeta) writes "I am in awe of her. She radiates this calmness and peace to people around her. She has the unique ability of occupying herself and never getting bored. Exceptionally talented, she occupies herself by painting, knitting, writing, embroidery and thereby creating happiness and beauty all around her"

The mandatory cake cutting with just the immediate family

and the rest of the family participated  through a zoom meet 

Some of them were dressed up for the occasion and one wore the duppatta that was painted by Amma.  

I have put a one minute video on the 100th B'day celebrations on FB. 

Update on 23rd July 2020 
Her daughter Lata saw her enjoying a Malayalam rap. 

For those who want to make further enquiries regarding work done by her, the contact mail id is given below in the comments. 
More of her work can be seen in the links given below.

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4