Life Inspires

"These creatures require our absence to survive, not our help. And if we could only step aside and trust in nature, life will find a way," says John Hammond, in The Lost World .  He was talking about the dinosaurs, but this is sane advice for almost all conservation efforts today. Last week, I had my friend Kathi over for lunch and we ended up talking about her house in Colorado. On her last visit, she was sitting by the window, writing. She looks up and sees a black bear looking at her through the window. Perhaps the bear was hungry or just curious. Kathi didn't have the opportunity to find out. She stood very still and the bear eventually just strolled away. None of them bothered the other. There was mutual respect, or so I would like to believe. It was a thrilling episode, scary but one that she will remember for the rest of her life. I want to have such encounters too (but only the ones that do not end in me being eaten), while staying in the city. And conside...

Bringing up a child who is born with an ingrained love for everything natural and wild can be gratifying as well as challenging. Your wild child will often cheer you up with several unexpected "awww" moments, but will also be prone to landing himself or herself, and you, in several tricky situations. My 7-year-old nephew Nishu often ends up doing exactly this. One of the biggest challenges you may have to face will most likely involve a "pet". You and your wild child may not have the same preferences. Like when one day, out of the blue, I received a call from Nishu. With his infectious enthusiasm he sang into the phone, "Masi, I found a new pet. His name is Dittu." I assumed that it was a dog and asked, "Wow, how big is it and which colour?" "It is very tiny, Masi, and it is completely white, except for its nose and tail, which are pink." I'd never heard of a dog with a pink tail. But before I could say anything, he added, "...

Recently, one of my articles, supported by pictures by VJ Sharma , was published in TOI Himachal Pradesh. Here is the entire text. Let me know what you think. Fluttering of almost a thousand pairs of wings sounds like a clap of thunder and the cacophony of their various calls, echoes all through the surrounding wetlands, resonating in the memories of bird enthusiasts long after the birds themselves have flown back to their distant homelands. These are the birds of Pong Lake, some of whom travel to Pong from as far as the Arctic Circle much to the delight of the bird watchers who eagerly wait for their arrival. What is it that fascinates us about them and drags us out of our comfortable homes to brave the chill of winter and travel great distances to get a glimpse of these beautiful creatures? The mystery no longer remains a mystery when at the slightest hint of intrusion, the placid vista of the Pong Wetlands is brought alive by the frenzied flights of these vibrant birds. Mr. D...

When I was a child, I found it lying in the streets abandoned. I picked it up and pampered it. And now like a friend,  through clouds and through mist its genderless voice leads me  to that naïve sapling that has raised its head too soon from the snow and then goes right back in,  enlightened, frightened, and wise beyond its years.  It sighs with me at the wrinkled, entwined hands of lovers when they walk each other  from this street to that, from this shop to that  from this year to that. Holding my hands,  it has taught me to walk on this mystic road  towards  a word  greater than truth. They laugh and they say it’s all in my head. But yet, when I least expect, it talks to me.

A couple in love dancing together People offering to let old people go first in the queue A baby flashing an instant smile at me Decorated Christmas trees People carrying shopping bags, talking to each other, and laughing Emails from friends that are more like letters Facebook updates British people gathering in large numbers to enjoy Community Diwali fireworks Dark,winding passages in old forts Wild streams flowing in dense forests

Date: 1/15/2008 7:06 AM 7:13 AM 7:17 AM 7:21 AM 7:23 AM Colors of the sky reflected in the windows of the apartments across the road

Nature paints new pictures everyday. Each different, and each beautiful. I have the priviledge to be able to view sunrise from my balcony though the sunset is hidden behind high rise buildings. Each sunrise is unique and reminds you how lucky you are. The color of the sky changes as often as life changes its course. Yesterday, I saw flocks of small birds diving around in the sky, today it was eagles who were circling the orange sky. When the sun appears above the horizon, its crimson sphere is reflected in the apartment windows across the road and at times you have to stop and wonder whether you are actually witnessing this haunting exchange or is it a dream. The fumes of a high flying jet approaching the sun are glowing red and discernible from a great distance. Slowly the last star is extinguished and the entire sky turns bluish White. Half-an-hour after the sun rise, if you look at the sun, you will never be able to believe that this is the same forbidding monster that was so gentle...