VOL 3 ISSUE 3 TRADITION I CULTURE I FLAVOUR I BUSINESS I NEWS SEP 10, 2009

Educationist returns: White fences: Land in the district be-

Former teacher of Hebron ing steadily cordoned off, is raising
School returns from a social and environmental concerns. An
stint overseas as the inclusive perspective is provided by a
school’s new head p 13 recent UN recommendation. p 10, 11

A
eLocal
U N I Q U E P E R S P E C T I V E O F T H E N I L G I R I S
Next issue: The state of public
transportation in the Nilgiris
pic :Staff photographer

Urgent
strides
vital.
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam’s
message, on a recent visit,
inspires locals. p 5

Cairn Hill Walkers only.
Cairn Hill: One can almost miss the turn, a
little beyond Fernill in Ooty, where a tiny
dirt track leads off the main road, into the
fascinating ‘walk’ called Cairn Hill.
Yes, walk! Home to the oldest Cyprus
(Cupressus macrocarpa) plantations in the
Nilgiris (1868), this is, according to the
signboard of the Forest department found
on the premises, one of the few surviving
original walks as enjoyed by the British. The
department communique states that
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animals seen or heard here include theNilgiri
Langur ( Presbytis johni), Giant Squirrel
(Ratufa indica), Barking Deer (Muntiacus
muntjak) and Indian Porcupine (Hystix
indica) alongwith birds such as Nilgiri
Laughing Thrush (endemic to Nilgiris),
Scimitar Babbler, Flycatchers, Bulbuls,
Thrushes, Fantails, Grey Jungle Fowls,
Sunbirds, Wagtails and Warblers.
Wanna go for a walk? Conditions apply: No
cars inside the premises. And pesky phones!
What we liked most
Bison: The majestic animal that is the bison, about the Nilgiris.
is found across the length and breadth of
the Nilgiris. 1/3 of the country’s bison are
found here. These largely harmless-to-
humans beasts, are also known as the ‘It’s a pleasant surprise to see coffee growing
Indian Gaur. It is not uncommon now to here’, says the erstwhile coffee planter from
see a herd in and around tea plantations.
Chikmagalur,Karnataka,MrDominicRebello.
Apart from its phenomenal size that easily ‘It’s almost like cats and dogs under one roof’. The
gives its away, the typical identification of a animallovingfamily,basedinBangalore,wasvisiting
bison is its stocking-ed feet and a light grey the Nilgiris on a two day trip. What we liked most
patch on the forehead. With shrinking about the Nilgiris? ‘The holiday mood begins right
habitats, in recent times, the bison has been
from Mysore. The entire drive from there onwards
classified under the Red list of the IUCN
is fascinating. You can do so much along the way -
Bandipur-Mudumalai-Masinagudi-Ooty...’
(International Union for Conservation of
Nature and Natural Resources).
The unique tea brewer mug is an industry first from Glenworth Estates.
The double-glass tea mug is reinforced with the capability to retain
heat for long spells. The 200ml cup (in pic) has a removable strainer
that keeps the tea leaves inside the glass, while you conveniently sip
away. Best to keep handy at your work desk. Also ideal to carry along
on short trips.
travel
5 must-visit tourist
spots in Ooty.
In about half a day’s time, with a
small car or taxi handy, one can
get to the essence of Ooty’s
tourism identity. (The 6th one, is
the proverbial icing-on-the-cake).
Pykara Lake:
21 kms from Ooty, on the Ooty-
Mysore Road, is the Pykara lake.
It is considered sacred by
indigenous tribes. Great for
boating. Thank God for digital
cameras.
Ooty Lake:
The glittering jewel of Ooty, the
lake is a treat to behold from afar!
Total extent: 65 acres. Officially
opened to boating since 1973.
Botanical Gardens:
In the heart of Ooty town, this 55
acre expanse is the ‘lungs of the
town’ and its resident population.
Its layout was completed in
1867. 2000 varieties of flowers,
is fascinating and overwhelming.
Tea museum & Tea factory:
Enroute Doddabetta, the tea
manufacturing experience here,
is total - from leaf to cup, as they
say. The museum is a history
buff’s delight!
Doddabetta Peak:
Standing at 2623 msl (metres
above sea level) Doddabetta is
10 kms from Ooty. The name
means ‘big mountain’ in the local
language. Surrounded by dense
shola (forests) the peak offers a
truly far-sighting experience.
The Bee Museum &
Green Shop
At hill bunk on the Mysore Rd,
your understanding of local
traditions, one of which is
honey hunting, is complete with
the visit to the Bee Museum.
Honey lovers, celebrate. The
range of fresh forest produce
available here, will stun you.
The Local Correspondent
The Local quiz on the Nilgiri
MountainRailway(NMR).
Pic, courtesy: Kaiwaan Patel
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway engages the rack &
pinion system, a novel creation to ensure extra and fool
proofbrakingofthetrain.Theteeth-likecentrepiecefound
running right up to Kallar station from Coonoor runs ex-
actly in between the two tracks. A ratchet type cog wheel
attaches itself to it, keeping the speed of the train under
control. This railway has the steepest gradient in the In-
dian Railways at 1:12 . Its alternate biting teeth (Abt) in the
rack & pinion, provides it adequate safety.
msl 5. Alternate biting track. 6. 16 tunnels 7. 9 stations
1. In 1899 2. In 1908 3. 46 kms 4. 328 msl & 2203
Traintimings:
Mettupalayam-Ooty: Dep:7:10 am Arr: Ooty-
1200 noon. Ooty -Mettupalayam: Dep:3:00 pm.
Local trains: Ooty to Coonoor-9:15 am, 12:15
pm, 3:00 pm, 6: pm. Coonoor to Ooty-7:45 am,
10:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm.
Ooty’s
favourite His record for
paperwala paper sales is
130 copies on
retires. a Sunday!
His little shop at Charing Cross, opposite
Breeks School’s lower gate has been the town
resident’s favourite spot to pick up the
Sunday morning edition. ‘ I sold 130 copies
in a single day ’ says the beaming Mr
Karuppaiah, who made humble beginnings
in Ooty 42 years ago. Thats when he arrived
here as a young boy from Trichy. ‘Relax
Stores’ has been just that to several age
groups, across the years, stocking thoughtful
little items from candy to essential oils.
Both his daughters studied in Breeks school
and are happily settled. His wife, due to
medical reasons, is now settled at Trichy and
the ‘paper-shop-man’ too moves there for
good but in characteristic local style, he
leaves his heart behind.
Farewell and thank you from an old school
boy-regular customer!
1. When did the NMR come into being? 2.
When was the railway line extended to
Ooty? 3. What is the total length of the
rail line from Mettupalayam to Ooty? 4.
From which elevation does the train start
its journey up? And what is the highest
altitude that it touches at Ooty? 5. What
does Abt system stand for? 6. How many
tunnels can be found along the way? How
many stations does the NMR have?
An appeal.
Hanging from a heritage train is as
horrendous an act as slapping a
grandmother in the face. The respect and
reverence that a heritage site deserves is
lost on most of us who are consumed in
cheap, self-centred notions of what tourism
really means.
The 100 year old Nilgiri Mountain Railway
(NMR) is considered a World Heritage Site,
having been conferred this status by the
UNESCO in 2004!
Please do not venture to and encourage
others not to brazenly etch names on walls
of compartments, or heritage buildings etc,
as if to find a cheap shortcut to a place in
history. Issued in Public interest by TheLocal
DISTRICT call 108
POLICE in any
HELP-LINES emergency
Police: Ooty - (0423) 100,
Coonoor - (0423) 2221836,
Kotagiri - (04266) 271100,
Gudalur (04262) 261246.
Please add the area code if dialling from a
mobile phone or from outside the circle
 4
local issue

They have made 3 representations to the Collector’s

Whenenough
isenough.
Strangemenknockonour
doors to ask for water and
an empty glass to have
their liquor with.’
They don’t have a school in their colony, no piped water, only one
street light... Yet, they have inherited an unwelcome gift of a thriving
liquor shop that is perched in the middle of their lives, making it more
than a nuisance. The women of Tharemi colony, below Jagathala village,
finally stand up to assert their rights. Will they be heard?
office over the past 3 years to remove the liquor
shop in their colony. They have voted in Panchayat
representatives who haven’t kept promises. They
have, on occasion, registered complaints at the police
station. They are not aware of the fundamental rule
that a liquor shop must not be located within 100
mts of a place of worship or an educational
institution.
The residents of an indescript colony near
Wellington had nevertheless decided to call a local
cable television channel to voice their grievance.
TheLocal correspondent met concerned residents a
day after their staged protest.
While there is anxiety on the faces of the village
women folk, there is hope. They are deeply ignorant
of their legal rights but they are determined that
something must be done. They feel it is the
‘government’ that has decided that the shop be
situated here (apparently at the conjunction of 7
important residential pockets including the large
Jagathala village nearby) and so there is acceptance
and resignation.
Yet, they believe there will be respite from their
troubles relating to drunk men, after dark, (and
during broad daylight - we encountered two of them,
one of whom thought it was useless to dicuss the
matter as if a living testimony to vouch for the
seemingly impossible situation of alcoholism). How
many alcoholics in this part of the world? They
don’t know.
In the words of a little girl who became a school
dropout, ’We want the liquor shop closed. My father
became a drunkard and couldn’t pay my fees.’

(Un) social
drinking.
Radha Naidu
Can’t we make friends without
the help of liquor?
‘When we talk about ‘social drinking,’ what
does it mean? Does it mean that we keep
our friend company by drinking when he
or she drinks or do we drink just to make
friends and move within a particular group.
Can we not socialize and make friends
without drinking?
I hold the view that having a glass or two
of wine once in a way is not harmful if it is
a way of relaxing and enjoying a meal. But
if we drink heavily every evening we risk
become alcoholics in no time! What are
the consequences of drinking heavily? The
heavy consumption of spirits will ruin our
health and our lives. Health problems
especially damage to liver is quite common.
What about the financial side? In the
lower economic strata, for instance, a
person who drinks heavily spends a great
deal of money on it when his wage is not
enough. For example, a labourer who
approximately earns Rs. 200 a day will spend
all that money on drinks especially if he is
an alcoholic. He then resorts to borrowing
since he wont have any money left to feed
his family bringing upon himself, debt.
Such people who are alcoholics need help.
Doctors who have patients with this
problem should refer them to ‘Alcoholics
Anonymous’ where such people can meet
regularly, talk about their problems and
help each other.
At present we also come across instances
of students of eighteen or nineteen who
drink. They may belong to the upper
classes, the middle or the lower. Students
of affluent parents see their parents drink
regularly and raid the drinks cabinet for a
drink when their parents are away.
Drinking has become a way of life and has
Readers write
become so acceptable that the downside
of it not even talked about. People at a
party are encouraged to drink even when
they have to drive after drinking. Who
suffers? People get run over by drivers who
are drunk. This happens on a regular
basis. Then there is the problem of illicit
liquor. Alcoholics are drinking this stuff,
especially those alcoholics from the
lower classes. Illness and even deaths have
occured because of this.
The time has come for us to seriously
think about this situation and try to
control the menace.
High schools should hold discussions on
a regular basis so that students become
aware at an early age of the dangers of
drinking. Hopefully then we can prevent
young people from turning into
alcoholics at an early age. We have to
emphasize that their future can be
endangered by drinking heavily.
Lastly let us realise that only by setting
an example we can prevent the younger
generation from turning to alcoholic.
5
cover story

Children
are the most
important
people.
The Local Correspondent

When the former President of India

walks into the hall of a local school in
Coonoor to celebrate 150 years of its
existence and instantly gestures that the
high seat or gaddi placed on the stage
for him be removed, it becomes the
talk of the town. Every individual, young
and old, has not stopped telling others
who weren’t there on Aug 14, 2009 of
this episode. Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
further requests that the ‘VIPs’ kindly
find some place other than the front rows
that they had already occupied and to
allow students of the school to take their
place so he might interact with the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam makes
youngsters easily. known his love for children
To see the enlightened man in person is while expressing disdain for
in itself an enlightening experience. unnecessary fanfare. His inspiring
Short statured, quick paced and quicker address during a brief visit here,will
witted, the former President immediately have great impact, if we pay heed.
endears himself to all, including the
ousted VIPs and the visibly embarrassed
school authorities.
‘Thirty percent of the nation’s population
is made up of young children like you. ever so often and wave the interruptive better politician, a young inexperienced
If we include the age group of upto 30 forces down. person or an older, experienced one?’ For
yrs of age, then 54% of India’s population None of this perturbed the enlightened every question, the visionary would first
is its youth. Change will have to come man. His goal was to talk to young accredit the youngster saying that the
from you if our country must progress students. How many of you want to question was a good one and then he
and if we must be a strong, developed become a politician? There was no show would embark on the answer, each one
nation by the year 2020 (his personal, of hands until he repeated the question. being absorbed by the audience as fresh
much admired vision).’ The lone, tentative hand that went up, ink to blotting paper. ‘Youth contains
To get a glimpse of the visionary-scientist somewhere at the far end of the Stanes energy. Age carries knowledge and in
or to have at least heard his words from School auditorium, was perhaps only in time, acquired wisdom. Both these are
afar would have sufficed for most in the a hesitant, almost playful fashion, mostly essential for a politician to be useful to
handpicked audience that morning, but hoping to be unnoticed. society. You must gain knowledge early
there were others who hustled the He noticed. ‘Good. Some of you must so that your energy will be productively
settings like the photographers who decide to enter politics. The nation needs harnessed.’
constantly caused unwary security men young people like you to take up the It was obvious that Dr Kalam’s words
to abruptly and awkwardly turn in the running of its affairs’. Of the 10 questions also reached out to the child in every
direction of the sudden moves of the so that Dr Kalam parried from students, adult seated there. The nervous laughter
called media. School authorities seated (who had prepared themselves in and clapping that followed his
on the dais were compelled to stand up advance) one was, ‘Sir who will make a Concluded on p 12

The President of the Nilgiri chapter of theAll India Women’s Conference has rallied herself and members of the
association against alcoholism. In a recent memorandum to the District Collector, Mrs Indu K Mallah has solicited
information regarding the location of liquor shops across the district, particularly if any of them have flouted the rule
of 100 ft from schools and places of worship. On the subject of alcoholism, the senior lady feels it is time for residents
of the district to stand up and be heard on this growing social menace. ‘I am concerned about our youth. We must work
towards making their future meaningful and values driven, just as our elders did for us’.

Recipe
GodhimaiAdai
(Wheatbasedpreparation)
Ingredients: Wheat rava 250 gms,
Raw rice flour 100 gms, Bengal gram
dal 50 gms, Green gram dal 50 gms,
Ulund dal 50 gms, Thoor dal 50
gms. Coconut pieces1cup, Red chili
(dry) 5 nos, Ginger 1 small piece,
Garlic 5 small pieces, Sombu 1
spoon, Jeeragam 1 spoon, Curry
leaves, Coriander leaves and
Murungai keerai.
Directions: Soak wheat rava
separately for half an hour and all
the dals for 1 hour. Grind rava first
in the mixie and then the dals (avoid
making it into paste). Add rice flour
and mix all these well in a container
and add salt.
Grind coconut, ginger, garlic, red chili,
sombu and jeeragam. Heat some oil
in kadai. Put together murungai
keerai, mustard and ulund dal with
some onions and grinded masala. Stir
it for some time and then add it to
the flour. Heat tava and make the
Adai, thick or thin as a dosa, as you
may wish.
Ideal for morning breakfast.
Recipe sent in by a subscriber of The
Local, Mrs. Valarmathy Arumugam,
Nlgiris.
Theyoung
heart in old
students.
Dierdre E. Issar nee’ Wright
Stanes Alumni get
together for the 150th
year celebrations finale.
I excitedly told my friends in Bangalore that
I’m going back to my old school for its 150th
year celebrations and tore away from my routine!
Unlike many, I do have the opportunity of
visiting the Nilgiris fairly regularly as my parents
– Col (Retd.) C.T.O.A Wright & Mrs.
P.M.Wright live in Wellington. However, I
would never get around to visiting my old school
for lack of time.This visit was special and I had
reserved the 14th and 15th August, 2009 only
for Stanes School.
For the record: Alumni members of Stanes School, Coonoor, posing for pictures next to
the bust of school founder Thomas Stanes which was unveiled earlier by former President
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on Aug 14. The writer is seen standing extreme left.
On 13th, the registration day, it was lovely to
meet old friends,both senior and junior,to giggle
together and to be the butt end of jokes. All of
us certainly looked a lot older, with signs of
graying, spectacles and the little extra weight!
Nine members of the batch of 1984 celebrated
their 25th anniversary of passing out.This time,
I noticed a strong representation of the not so
old alumnus – the youngest being from the
class of 2009.
It was equally delightful to see some of our old
teachers too – Mrs. Daniel, Mrs. Samson, Mrs.
Thangaraj,Mrs.PM Wright and Mr Benjamin
Gnanamanickam - believe me, it is something
to do with the Nilgiri air that keeps them going!
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam’s thought provoking
interaction the following morning with both
the present and past students was the high
point of the function. Apart from unveiling the
bust of the school’s founder, Thomas Stanes,
the former President was also invited to
inaugurate the Oyster Project of the school – a
Special Education department. I was very
interested to know that the school had taken
the initiative to start this off as it is a subject that
is very close to my heart (I was secretly happy
that it was housed in Groves Block, my old house
of which I was House Captain). I personally
believe that every school must have a Special
Education Cell. I must add a word of caution
that we do not use it as a method of filtering out
children with learning disabilities. They must
6
traditions
be part of the mainstream as most of them have
above average IQs and are gifted and talented.
If taught and counselled well, they will bring
laurels to their school. I speak from personal
experience.
We returned to some fun and games that
afternoon.A solemn Thanksgiving Service was
followed by an AGM and the evening saw all
of us let our hair down at the Coonoor Club.
The photographs say it all!
The fun could not carry on and on, as we might
have wished, since we were expected to be up
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the flag
hoisting and a march past on Independence
Day. Our oldest alumni member present, Mr.
Edwin Rajarathinam (class of 1966) was the
Chief Guest. Mr.Llewellyn Xavier (the present
Principal and also an alumnus) had us swinging
our arms during some marching practice before
it all began. Lt. Col. (Retd) Sivakumar (my
classmate) lead our contingent. It was wonderful
to be back on the field. I remember how we
would take part in every event as students since
there were just a few of us in the Super Seniors
Division (Class 11 & 12). The alumni later
pitted skills against younger players in a
friendly basketball match. I am proud to tell
you that in 1979-80 the girl’s basketball team
won the Interschool championship.
Going ‘back to school’ was truly enriching
enough to haul me back to my routine!
The writer belongs to the class of 1980 (Std.12)
7
Would I
pluck tea for
a living?
Trying a hand at tea leaf plucking, I quickly
discover that the experience is rare. Its
paradoxical, in fact. Will my ‘pinch’ hurt the
stalks? Won’t the leaf die if I pluck it off, that
too the tender, light green ones that sway
delicately in the lightness of the morning
breeze? Will an incorrect pluck affect the
whole plant?
The elderly lady (in pic) assures me that its
quite ok and that I have actually fared well.
I am instructed not to go below what is
called ‘the table’- a particular level on the
tea bush, below which the stalks turn brown,
solidifying further with each descending
level and culminating in tough roots.
I am able to come to terms. It is, I believe,
pre-ordained that a large section of human
kind must live of this humble leaf.
Consider this: small tea growers in the district
alone, numbered a whopping 65000 in the
year 2008-09 and they cultivated tea on
approximately 45000 hectares of land
accounting for 80 million kgs produced in
India annually!
Plucking begins at around 8 30 am each
day and goes on till lunch when the team
(usually about 4-5) breaks and with an
intervening tea break later in the afternoon,
they finally wind up by 5. Eight hours of
sheer expert touch, some lighthearted
conversation, diligent plucking and
maintenance work on the bush (keeping the
table flat, clearing weeds within the tea bush)
and finally stuffing the leaves into big round
sacks that they carry to the nearest weighing
shed and it has been ‘just another day at
the office’ for them. The average weight of a
bag goes upto 30 kgs and that is how much
a plucker would usually pluck in a day (I
could manage about two and a half kilos all
morning). At Rs. 3/- a kilo, it’s a crisp (or
paltry, depending on your point of view)
hundred rupee note that the homemaker
takes back to her family in the village or hatti
(most of the small growers and pluckers hail
from the indigenous Badaga community).
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In my mind, as much as in the readers’, the
question of whether it was worth the effort,
is a separate point. The fact is that this
fascinating co-existence between humans
and nature is divine. It blurs the lines of
divisions. There is oneness with everything
around us. I understand that the same bush
will have new sprouts soon enough. Its the
circle of life! Whether this philosophical bent
of mind has place in our materialistic outlook
is introspective but I believe it is important.
As for the plucker, her health, happiness and
hope lies as delicately as drops of rain on the
edge of the leaf. The Local Correspondent
 pics: Staff Photographer

Master Plan.
The breathtaking layout of a typical Badaga hatti has many a
local and tourist stop and admire it, in awe. With over 300 such
clusters of closely-knit dwellings found across the district, the
blend and balance that these villages signify with Nature is
overwhelmingly evident. Its almost like a Master Plan!

The Badaga hatti

The term ‘hatti’ is used to describe a settlement
of the predominant indigenous Badaga com-
munity of the Nilgiris.
Hattis comprise parallel rows of compact houses
made of stone or mud mortar. The usual num-
ber of houses one can find in a mid sized hatti
will be around 200-300 while some large hattis
are also home to a thousand families. Typically,
a hatti is perched on the slope of a hill, on the
leeward side to protect itself from the direct
impact of the westerly monsoon. The layout of
 Advertisement

key elements

a hatti will include at least two main temples, one

above it and one below, a large field which is
used for a variety of purposes, including festivals,
sports etc,. One is also sure to also find ample
grazing land around the hatti, though this has
depleted in recent times due to changing occu-
pational trends among the once dairy-agricul-
tural based community. Extremely hospitable, the
needs of the average inhabitant are minimal.
Historian Paul Hockings notes in his book on
Linguistic trends, one of the timeless proverbs of
thisfascinatingpeople,Allidamma,arasu;Kuliidamma
birusu, meaning ‘the one who has servants is
wealthy, but the one who has food is happy.’
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Call:98431 46176/ 98430 80083

Off limits: The recent

increase in use of solid
fences, to cordon off
property bought in the
Nilgiris, has raised some
social and environmental
concerns. A candid
perspective.
The white fence.
The Local Correspondent
(with input from Deepa Vasudevan)

Responsible property investment,

(RPI), recently framed by the United
Nations, talks of the role that the
building sector has to play in sustaining
the environment. According to the
United Nations Environment program
(UNEP) report (2007) it is estimated
that 30 per cent to 40 per cent of carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions can be reduced
if the real estate development and
construction sector identifies and
incorporates proper practices.
The pace of property acquisition in the
Nilgiris, in recent years, has raised the
questions of what social and
environmental impact has been created
due to this. From an environmental
standpoint, particularly wildlife, much is
being documented about the man-
animal conflict that has led to widespread
displacement of animals and in extreme
instances, their deaths. Fences, cordoning
off land, have particularly affected
movement of elephants, forcing them to
seek alternative routes making them
 11
local opinion
inadvertently venture too close to human
habitat (see expert’s opinion on p16). ‘If
it is going to cause displacement, then
as developers, we must ensure that
inter vening fencing lines must be
removed and only the marker posts
remain, mainly for identification; this
will help animals pass freely,’ suggests a
longstanding property developer in the
Nilgiris.
Well meaning efforts by the real estate
sector must however be collective and
representative of the larger concern. The
RPI stipulations, it was opined in a
national daily’s article, will soon compel
investors to turn away from property
that is built with dubious environmental
standards. It is also said to go beyond
the purview of the environment and to
address social implications such as
labour and legal compliances.
The social implications of the land being
cordoned off, are considerable. Access
to land in interior fields, for instance, is
becoming inconvenient since most
buyers prefer only ‘roadside’ property
making it arduous for those engaged in
agriculture forcing them to find alternate
routes to their fields. In some cases access
rights are even denied.
The other issue is agricultural activity
on most of the cordoned off land being
eliminated. There are innumerable tea
fields that one sees lying untended to as
its new owners are to be found residing
in far off cities!
In this scenario, what is happening to
the original farmer-owners? In the case
of the predominantly agriculture-based
community, the Badagas, most of their
traditional farming activities that
included potatoes and other essential
vegetables had already been replaced by
large scale tea planting, a few decades
ago. Due to fragmentation in family sizes
and therefore land holding becoming
small, most of them began to depend on
others’ fields to provide them work.
However, now with adjoining fields in
and around villages or hattis being
gradually sold and sealed off (pic left),
this income for the majority of the
families whose only mainstay was
agriculture, has been seriously affected.
Restoring land to farmers through lease
is a way forward and while there are a
few land owners who have entered into
annual lease agreements with locals, the
perennial greed trap is to see pure
commercial intent alone resulting in
unviable lease renewals, making the
proposition itself, unviable to enter into.
Unmindful or uninformed property
buyers cannot be entrusted with
considering social aspects as much as
local developers do, for it is they who
best understand the dynamics of both the
environmental and social implications.
If developers were to come together with
a shared longterm vision and regulate
their approach in what is considered a
vital sector - housing, then most
ecological issues will have been readily
addressed even before they arose.
The introduction of the controversial
building regulations and the inadvertent
dissatisfaction created due to the mining
Act are relevant cases in point. While
the intention of the PIL (Public interest
litigation) that was filed by a ‘local’ to
contain quarrying (interpreted as stone
breaking) are considered by some as
being triggered due to vested interests,
the fact remains that most builders,
contractors and home buyers have been
unmindful of the larger repercussions.
It is in keepng with long term concerns
that the RPI has been introduced and if
one has to understand its motives
correctly, it will stand out as having a
distinctively inclusive agenda.
A resident, who had moved in to the
Nilgiris some years ago, while talking
of his plans now, for some agricultural
activity on newly purchased land a few
miles away from his residence, said that
he was considering solar fences to protect
the perimeter! Only a few decades ago
there was no electricity in the villages,
leave alone electric fences. The elders of
the village cite stories of a night
watchman who would keep vigil with a
faithful dog at hand. On sighting or
hearing the marauding wild boar, he
would call out to his counter part on the
facing hill who in turn would reach out
to yet another on the next hill and soon
a queer, steady drum beat would start off,
confusing the raiders enough to go and
find some other place to dine or to
abandon their plans altogether. But these
practices are now resigned to folklore.
There is an old adage which says ‘good
fences make good neighbours’. But
certainly, this did not include open land
in its reference.

Event of the month

What’s wrong with our weather? Readers write Green Shop
Sarasu Bellie opens in Mysore
Yesterday it rained, but only for a short while. It was sunny in the afternoon but it Keystone Foundation now opens a
became cloudy by evening and at night it turned windy. Today, it started becoming Green Shop in Mysore, taking forest-
cloudy and a few drops promised some rain but nothing happened. My father could fresh produce of the indigenous tribes
easily tell when it would rain. In fact, my mother would sometimes not take his of the Nilgiris, closer to eco-sensitive
advice and end up getting all the washed clothes wet again. Today, with all the customers in this region.
modern equipment we cannot predict weather correctly. What has happened? ‘We were invited to set up shop by the
We learnt that clouds bring rain. Also, that water evaporation makes the clouds. But Green Hotel, Mysore (located at
for water to be preserved in the ground, it needs shady trees. I look out from my Jayalakshmipuram), who are our
window and I see tall, steel towers that bring waves of electronic signals but no rain. longstanding partners in the Bee
Museum project at Ooty,’ stated Mr
Matthew John, one of Keystone
Statutory disclaimer: TheLocal disclaims liability of any kind whatsoever, arising out of the readers use, or Foundation’s founder members.
inability to use the material contained in it. Adequate care has been taken to compile stories for the
reference of our users. TheLocal makes every effort to maintain accuracy of the information but does not
The shop was formally opened on 5th
accept responsibility for any and disclaims responsibility for any loss or damage which may arise from the Sept ‘09. It will, according to the
information provided. All opinion expressed in the issue in the form of articles or any viewpoint is solely that organisation, stock all popular Keystone
of the individual or advertiser concerned and TheLocal accepts no liability thereof. None of the Authors, products like honey, spices & coffee.
Contributors, Sponsors or anyone connected to TheLocal can be liable for any reproduction of the material.
 12
Ajournalism workshop in Tamil didn’t seem as Journalism workshop at Government High School, Aravenu.
difficult as we had thought, while on our way to
Aravenu’sGovernmentHighSchool,nearKotagiri. Learning is fun: Students of the
It was daunting, however, to see about 100 Government High School, Aravenu in
students, boys and girls, eagerly waiting to see excited chatter, shortly after the journalism
what the ‘patrike’ people had in store for them. workshop that was recently conducted for
The excitement at being able to learn how to them at their school premises.
generate news was evident when after about 20
minutes or so, every single voice wanted to be
heard.
A questioning mind is important, for a journalist
to be effective. Responsibility is above all. Be
careful with information that you have access to.
Be courteous yet courageous in your approach
especially when dealing with sensitive issues.
Facts are critical to opinion...
The students were able to generate a small
newspiece, almost all by themselves, at the end
of the one hour session which goes thus:
‘IndependenceDaycelebrationsatGHS,Aravenu
was held amidst great fanfare, with the school’s
PTAPresidenthoistingtheflaginthepresence of
staff, parents and the students. Later in the day,
teachers planted trees at the periphery of the
schoolplaygroundtomarktheoccasion.’

Promotional feature
Techno-legal
consultant in
the Nilgiris.
Banks need not harass
defaulting customers.
There are better means
by which to arrive at a
solution. I act as an
arbitrator.
‘Cyber crimes are on the rise in recent times’,
says Mr Brian Soans, a techno-legal consult-
ant, who is engaged in the sphere of banking
consultancy. ‘My role is multifarious. It involves,
on the one end, advising clients who are unaware
of cyber related crimes such as identity theft, on
the possible dangers that they face from fraudsters
on the worldwide web today. On the other hand,
in the capacity of being a DRT (Debt recovery
tribunal) representative, I monitor the manner in
which banks deal with their clientele who have,
due to various reasons, defaulted on their loan
repayments. Banks are sometimes arbitrary in
their approach towards customers who have de-
faulted in their repayments. There are more pro-
ductive ways by which to manage the situation
but usually it ends in harassment. Clients consult
me on their options and almost always, the re-
sults are favourable to both sides. Allied Law also
works towards reconstructing/restoration, con-
verting sick businesses into profitable units.’
Mr Soans’ consulting firm Allied Law is headquar-
tered in Bangalore with offices in Chennai and
Mangalore. In the Nilgiris, Allied Law has just set
up an extension office to serve the requirements
of local businesses and individuals. The firm has
organised a 2 day seminar on Banking Law for ad-
vocates and proprietary/partnership businesses in
the district. Enrolment details mentioned below:
Seminar: 2 day seminar on banking laws,
legal recourse in debt restructuring and
cyber crimes Venue: Keswick, Orange
Grove, Coonoor - 2. Date: 18th Oct ‘09.
Call (0) 92452 01687 for details.
Children are the
most important
people.
Continued from p 5
conclusive answers each time, was
evidence enough that much of what was
being experienced that morning inside
every heart and mind was enlightening.
‘Stand up for what you believe is right.
It is not enough to conform to everything
around you. Your voice must be heard.
There is much to do. There is much that
is left to be done. The year 2020 will be
upon us soon...’
All that the great man said that morning
has left as deep an impression on everyone
present as it has on the local
correspondent.
Keeping young children foremost in our
thoughts and actions will be crucial. It
will entail a host of activities beginning
with literacy enhancement drives across
the district. It will require greater
volunteerism in the area of ‘after-hours
education’. It will have to ensure that
children who cannot afford higher
education must be sponsored to do so. It
will be equally important to keep young
ones f rom being ensnared into
undesirable habits, particularly alcohol.
It will be important for adults to carry
themselves as good examples to the
youth. But first, we must shed the culture
of VIPism.
13
interview

You actually swim with sharks?! That was

the startled exclamation of the interviewers
when the newly installed principal of
Hebron School, Ooty said that he enjoyed
swimming in the ocean more than (what
we thought the customary favourites for
an Australian), football or rugby. The soft
toned gentleman then takes time to explain
that sharks aren’t as dangerous as is made
out to be: ‘You don’t bother them, and they
won’t either’.
Mr. Mark Noonan has just taken charge
from the previous principal, Mr Alastair
Reid, who now moves to a new assignment
in England. It has been a little over a
month since the sturdily built educationist
takes the seat of responsibility at this over
100 year old institution.
The on-the-dot 5 o’ clock entry into the
Principal’s cabin is appreciated. The head
abandons his administrative chair, makes
us comfortable in the guest chairs and then
seats himself on one with a wide smile.
The first question evokes a frown. Is it
still worth being a teacher? The question
is met with a counter-question.
‘Why do you ask?!’ Gradually, Mr Noonan
dispels our speculative representation that
the teaching profession no longer attracts
the best and that it is too challenging and
gruelling in these [chaotic] times to be
enjoyable. ‘The world has always revered
the teacher. Communities and countries
The world relies on its Teachers.
have relied on their teachers to show the ThenewheadofHebronSchoolismorethanreadytotakeontheeverincreasing
way. No matter the challenges, teaching challenges in the sphere of education, today. He is hands-on and he will derive from his
will be a fulfilling effort. It is irreplaceable distinctly diverse interests like swimming with sharks and cultivating farm vegetables.
in the sheer sense of service to society that An informal interview.
it provides...’ The smiles are back.
To a question on the present day scenario conditions are favourable. We remind identity of Ooty town. It has an inherent
of too many children for a teacher to ourselves of what the National shooting cosmopolitan outlook and it has keen
handle, and if ‘small is therefore beautiful’, champion Kynan Chenai, a student of this sensitivity to localised issues - the students
he replies saying ‘Nothing is too big to school, told TheLocal in an interview last fervently extend themselves to local causes,
break into manageable parts.’ year, ‘The environment at Hebron calms hygiene and good health among the
‘This is good organisational behaviour,’ my mind and prepares me for my personal weaker sections in particular.
the Principal emphasises, adding, challenges!’ Hebron has advanced to move What do you think of Ooty now? (The
‘ultimately, if the child is at the centre of with changes in technology too. In all of principal was a teacher here 10 years ago).
our efforts, solutions will always emerge this, the new head says he is thankful to ‘Its so much cleaner! There is a
no matter how large a problem there is’. God that the institution retains its first consciousness among the locals about their
There are benefits of being compact. At love, as summed up in the Hebron School heritage and the need to preserve it.’
Hebron School, for instance, every motto-Deo Supremo (meaning God first). We do believe that the local community
youngster is presented endless It will be a task enough to sustain the at Tuncurry, Australia is missing the man
opportunities to flower and flourish with momentum at this renowned educational as it is evident that he is them - photos of
each one finding his and her own space. centre which, notwithstanding its his previous stint at the Great Lakes
Teachers are facilitators and friends. The Cambridge curriculum, is central to the College are already up on his office wall!
It won’t be long before this global local
will carry his new team ahead with rolled
Letters to the Editor up sleeves! And he keenly wishes to
contribute to the welfare of fellow locals.
Readers who wish to send letters to the Editor may writeto : 10/363-Y-1, Mr Mark Noonan knows what it takes to
Indiranagar, AVK Post, Nilgiris - 643 202. Alternatively, you may also email till the soil. With patience and in the hope
your correspondence to thelocaleditor@gmail.com In case of any queries and faith that the harvest, ultimately, will
or clarifications call: (0) 97905 90570. be fulfilling. The Local Correspondent
 14
Legal Provisions regarding
removal of a liquor shop
LetterstotheEditor environment
from a locality.
Present a memorandum to the district
Sir,Throughthegoodofficeofmyneice’shusband,K.P.
Rajagopal,inCoonoor,Iwasabletogetthelatestissueof
Birds at your
Collector as a public grievance,
requesting to remove the liquor store.
File an application under Right to
TheLocal. Iwent throughthemagazinecarefullybutcould
not find the subscription rates. Please do let me know
window sill
Ashwath Vishwanath
Information Act with reference to the what the rate is.
Norms and Rules relating to Locating
or Establishing a liquor store in Tamil IwouldalsolovetointroduceTheLocaltoalotofpeople Even the smallest of gardens
Iknow.YoumayhaveknownDrV.M.INambissanwhowas attract a wide variety of birds
Nadu for which you should get a reply
endemic to the Nilgiris.
within 30 days of filing. File a writ petition theGMofCorditeFactory,Aruvankadu.Oneofhisdaughters,
in the High Court stating the public my niece, is presently HOD, Dept of Sociology at the After having lived an entire year away
inconvenience praying for a direction
to remove or relocate the liquor store. JawaharlalNehruUniversity.I’msureshewouldloveThe f rom the Nilgiris, one of my first
Local... ...My good wishes for the enduring prosperity of priorities, when I got home, was to go
According to the provisions in the out into the garden and say hello to my
Prohibition Enforcement Act, a liquor TheLocal. Prof.RadhaNair,KannurRoad,Calicut winged friends!
shop should not be located within 100
ft of a place of worship or an educational
The sheer variety and colour of birds
institution. Further, according to the Sir, found in the Nilgiris is second to none,
Criminal Procedure Code Act, Sec 133 IwasindeedpleasedtofindTheLocalinmyletterboxand so much so that India’s most revered
ornithologist, Mr Salim Ali had
Conditional order for removal of hope you will continue to publish the paper at regular commented about the Nilgiris as being
nuisance.- (1) Whenever a District intervals. The last I received an issue by post, was in
Magistrate or a Sub-Divisional one of the best places for birds in India.
Magistrate or any other Executive March 09. Were there any issues prior to theAug issue Longwood shola, near Kotagiri, and the
Magistrate specially empowered in this that I received? If so, I would like to have a copy. forests along the Coonoor –
behalf by the State Government, on Wealllearnthroughexperienceandpitfalls. Mettupalayam road are amongst those
receiving the report of a police officer regions with a high density of bird life.
or other information and on taking such PleaseletmeknowwhenandhowmuchIhavetopayfor These areas, as with other parts of the
evidence (if any) as he thinks fit, the subscription of The Local as I have not received any Nilgiris, play home to a number of
considers- (b) that the conduct of any notice letter in this regard. I would not like to miss the endemic bird species which further
trade or occupation, or the keeping of exemplifies their importance. A walk
any goods or merchandise is injurious
issuesandhopeyouwil keepintouchwithcustomerslike
within the forest bedazzles even those
us who have preserved the issues ever since the paper
to the health or physical comfort of
the community, and that in started. I am a resident of Nilgiris since 1957.
who are not keen bird watchers.
However, even the smallest of gardens
e
consequence such trade or Wishyouallthebest.ARRajagopal,Springfield,Coonoor attract a wide variety of birds and one
occupation should be prohibited or literally, does not need to leave the
regulated or such goods or comfort of home to watch these amazing
merchandise should be removed or Publisher’s note
the keeping thereof regulated; Sec
creatures.
133 (1) (b) CrPC.
Info courtesy: Advt Sabarish Devaraj, Ooty
One is a majority. Gardens with flowering plants are
frequented with birds which feed on
It is time to stand up and speak out. their nectar. Among the birds that can
be easily spotted frequenting flowers are
Ever since the issue of alcoholism caught our attention, spurred by the article of a the sunbirds and white-eyes. Both these
de-addiction counsellor (The Local Aug’09), I have requested several among us to birds belong to the order Passeriformes,
stand up and speak out against the problem. Especially those whose opinion will which comprises almost three fifths of
matter. The common refrain, initially, was that alcohol is socially accepted and the world’s birds and are characterised
what can we really do about it? Or, the Government is behind it, so...
by their ‘gripping feet’. They have three
I believe the least we can do is to raise our voice against this growing menace that toes pointed for wards and one
threatens to debilitate our health, wreck our homes, and cripple our sustenance and Continued overleaf
development as a society. Notwithstanding the perceivable position of minority,
some among us, our women folk in particular, have decided that enough is enough.
Their actions and expressions have been featured in this issue. Each have raised a SUBSCRIBE TO
voice not knowing that there is another who has done so as well! This, I believe, is
‘the power of one’ when every individual believes it is now upto him or her and not Local
anyone else. The time has come to grapple with our common issues. If it is your
problem then it is equally mine too. This perspective will take us ahead before the Subscriptions to The Local, are opened
issue itself fells us all down. If you wish to know more about the movement against effectiveOctober09.Pleasesubscribe/renew
alcoholism, do get in touch with the undersigned. your subscription through the following
On a related note the former President’s recent visit and his spirited address has methods: Demand draft/local cheque
inspired many who had the opportunity to hear him. We trust that the excerpts favouring The Local Media Publishing Co,.
from that speech, featured in this issue, has inspired you as well. (or)byaMoneyorder toTheEditor,TheLocal
For the convenience of our readers our subscriptions have been reopened. Please Media Publishing Co,. 10/363-Y-1,AVK Post,
subscribe or renew your subscription to avail of your copy of TheLocal by post. You Nilgiris - 643202. Call: (0) 97905 90570.
may also choose to send a copy to a friend, anywhere in India. The postal rates 1 Year subscription: Rs. 180/- for 12
remain unchanged. Edwin David issues, incl. postage & handling.
15
environment
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Information & pics, courtesy: Ashwath Vishwanath
particularly strong toe pointed
backwards, giving them their
characteristic perch. They are also
known to require the most parental care
amongst birds.
The white-eyes (or Silver-eyes) are
small birds of about 10cm in length,
pale olive with a white underbelly and
the sexes are alike. Their characteristic
name is derived from the conspicuous
white ring encircling the eye, giving an
impression of a larger white eye. They
have a slender, slightly downward
pointed curved bills and extendable
tongues with fine brush like tips for
collecting nectar. Their diet includes
fruit and insects like aphids. The birds
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During the breeding season they build
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material woven around the branches of
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In the Sunbirds, unlike the White-eye,
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SuvedhaStoresDSSC, TulsiMall,MtPleasant.
western ghats. The adult male has a
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with two eggs per nest.

What next?
‘Can we play football’, was all that we asked of the full-of-energy Toto (as his folks call him) who instantly
volunteered to get his football off the loft, dragged us all out onto the lawn outside his home in Lovedale, near
Ooty and began to kick about, in all earnestness, the ball which had literally no air in it! We played on until the lad
accidentally kicked it into the neighbour’s compound. What next? He quickly fished out a few balloons, made his
mother blow them to size and had us all kick them around too until some of them burst... So what next?
Mrs and MrAshok ___ have no need to worry about that question. This lad with boundless energy always has so
much to do that he perhaps won’t even need that cup of Horlicks, the brand for which he is this year’s Kid star!
‘We think his spontaneity caught the attention of judges’, says the proud father. Mrs Mitchelle Ashok also adds
that he must have had the panelists all in splits of laughter when he replied to a question on what is his favourite
drink. It seems he named 3 other brands alongwith Horlicks! The title was vied for by 129 finalists from across the
length and breadth of the country. His amiable face with a broad smile must have also tipped the balancein his
favour. ‘Who do you look like?’ Mamma... andAshok!’ We think tactfulness was another criteria that made this
young local a deserving winner. Young Shyaam Adrain, on his part, looks up as at us if to say - What’s all the
fuss about? I am just being myself!’
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Man-animal conflict will rise. The Local Correspondent

‘Why did the French tourist have to die?
Is it enough to close down the one resort
in Masinagudi that took unsuspecting
tourists on the reportedly illegal tour of
the forest? Does the Nilgiris benefit at all
from this kind of fringe tourism at the
outskirts of the hill ranges? Will there be
another tourist death such as this one?
What is the role of conservationists and
NGOs in the light of increasing elephant
deaths in recent months?
TheLocal questions to Mr N Mohanraj,
reputed conservationist and elephant
expert, a few days after the tragic death of
a French tourist, a 66 year old teacher,
while she and members of her family were
making their way through Bokkapuram
on an unauthorised trek through the forest.
Some answers:
‘An elephant is a non-confrontationist
animal. It will not attack without having
been antagonised’, says the conservationist.
People have to understand this
fundamental aspect. The extent of land
which the wild animals earlier traversed
has depleted drastically in recent years.
Fences have aggravated the problem
further, making elephants in particular, to
move into regions hitherto unvisited. Local
Published on behalf of The Local Media Publishing Co,. by Edwin David from 10/363-Y-1, Indiranagar; Avk Post, The Nilgiris. Printed at Satya Press, no. 50 Kariappa Street; Purasaiwalkam, Chennai - 7. Editor: Edwin David
plantation owners in the upper plateau, will
vouch that wild animals were never sighted
on their estates barely two decades ago.’
Mr Mohanraj further states that elephant
corridors have been gradually blocked off
due to the mushrooming of resorts across
the district and in a random manner. An
educational institution, he adds, by
cordoning off large tracts of area at the
foothills near Mettupalayam, has
inadvertently displaced the pachyderms
from their natural route. A resort further
up the ghat section, according to the
WWF official, is perched in the periphery
of the Kallar elephant corridor. With
human habitat fast increasing, there is
going to be large scale conflict in future is
his conclusive prediction.
What is to be done? ‘Regulation has always says the veteran. On the subject of
been the solution to such problems. regulation, we debate, self regulation
Enforcement of the rule of law will bring works, it has greater committment. ‘People
about the desired results in the immediate of the Nilgiris must think for themselves
perspective, but there are long term if they need to preserve the wildlife of the
solutions that need to be addressed - the region for the future generations.’
long proposed flyover at the final hairpin Collective responsibility is the dire need.
bend near Kallar, for instance. It will take By placing something that is important to
four years to build this over pass, which, if me, am I displacing anything vital to is
sanctioned and duly constructed, will allow the question that every individual must ask
the elephants to pass below, unhindered’, of oneself, we conclude.