Prakrti Mitra Award for PNLIT

PNLIT is happy and thankful to be honoured with the “Prakrti Mitra Award”, instituted jointly by BNM Institute of Technology, Bangalore and Heritage, a non-profit NGO. 

The award was received on behalf of PNLIT by trustee Nupur Jain, former trustee Prasanna Vynatheya and volunteer Divya Shetty, at a function held at the BNM Institute of Technology campus during the institute’s Srishti Sambhrama Festival on 23rd September 2015. 

A beautiful citation was given to PNLIT:

“In recognition of the exemplary service rendered to the community, and to the Nation, extending itself to protecting, preserving, and promoting the cause of the Environment and Mother Nature in JP Nagar.

… For effectively giving a new lease of life by rejuvenating and maintaining the Puttenahalli Lake through inlet feeding, water treatment and sewerage elimination, thus regulating and restoring the lake, to benefit the citizens of Bengaluru.”

Srishti Sambhrama, or the Earth Mother Festival, is an annual forum that gives an insight into our Natural Heritage. As a part of the festival, the Prakrti Mitra Award is given every year to “people with excellent achievement in the field of conservation of environment and protection of wildlife, who have displayed an outstanding level of motivation, enthusiasm and leadership qualities with a relentless effort beyond their call of duty”. Apart from PNLIT, Mr V. Balasubramanian and Kiran P. Kulkarni were also awardees.

The focus this year was “Sacred Waters” – all water is sacred and the life giver and sustainer of Planet Earth. Held over two days (23rd/24th Sep), the festival included contests, screening of documentaries and inter-active talks with renowned scholars, scientists and environmentalists. 

During the inauguration of Srishti Sambhrama (Pics: Nupur)

How the Boy got his Drum at Puttenahalli Lake on 12th September

Thank god it didn't rain! We never thought we would say this but it was important that the early evening of Sat. 12th Sept remained nice and dry. "Keshavraju Thippaswamy" wanted a drum above everything else. Would he get it was the question in the minds of the 30 odd children who had gathered in the Gazebo at the Puttenahalli Lake in South Bengaluru. The occasion was a celebration, though a little delayed, of International Literacy Day with a story telling by Geetu and team from the Snehadhara Foundation in an event organized by PNLIT. As part of its One Day One Story campaign, Pratham Books had chosen the engaging tale of "The Boy and his drum" written by Umesh P N and illustrated by Rajiv Eipe.

Together with the Snehadhara team, PNLIT trustees and volunteers hung banners, spread durries on the floor and completed the arrangements for the fun to begin at 4.30 p.m.  But where were the kids? Except for the organizers' children, there were hardly any others! Once Geetu began the narration, however, children from the neighbourhood flocked in, their feet gathering speed when they heard the clapping, singing and loud laughter from the Gazebo. 

With Geetu and her friends becoming the characters in the play, no one in the slowly growing audience could remain aloof. Under the spell of the artists, they became Keshavraju, the cheerful, large hearted boy and his mother who gifts him with a piece of wood instead of the drum that he yearns for. The rapt audience became in turn the grandfather, the potter's wife, the washer man, the bridegroom and among others, even a horse all of whom he meets along the way. He gets his drum at last but the children and their parents didn't want the fun to end. The versatile artists obligingly led the group to sing a couple of songs together.

Literally shouting their thanks to Geetu and her friends and wishing that they get another opportunity soon, the children and their parents left with grins still plastered on their faces. 

For some the excitement of the story was heightened by walking around the lake and spotting birds before it became too dark. Six year old Niranjan resolved that he would come soon to see a bird's nest. If he also gets to hear Snehadhara tell another story, well, that would be the icing on his cake!

Here's hoping that for the next event at the lake, more children will join and that they will reach the venue on time. Punctuality is best taught in childhood!

Best regards

Usha

Time transforms

With tender loving care and good intent, the saplings at Puttenahalli Lake are now trees!

Coconut grove side avenue

Road side avenue

How much water entered the lake?

It rained heavily in Bangalore last night.

"How much water entered the lake last night?" This is the question we've been asked since morning. Well, this is the first thing we checked ourselves. The answer - take a look at the photos. For a comparison, we've attached an aerial view of the lake taken by Geetha Srikrishnan on 17th August 2015, after the rain the previous night. Her aerial view of the lake taken today is attached as well. Thanks to Geetha and Amod for helping us answer The Question with their photographs.

17th August 2015  (Pic: Geetha Srikrishnan)

5th September 2015 (Pic: Geetha Srikrishnan)

5th September 2015 (Pic: Amod Malviya)

It is said to have been a stormy rainy night when Sri Krishna was born and hence it invariably rains on the eve of Janmashtami. Or perhaps the downpour last night was the precursor to the North East Monsoon, well ... 

:-)

Janmashtami greetings to all from us at PNLIT.

And happy Teachers' Day to our teachers.

Best regards

Usha

On this sunny day, here's a bird for you!

Good morning all!

A Purple-rumped sunbird peeping out of its nest and the female feeding on nectar of the red Bottlebrush flowers.

Pics: Madhurima Das

To know more about the bird and the plant see the wikipedia links
Purple-rumped sunbird
Callistemon (Bottlebrush).

Best

Usha

A Special Story Telling - Save the Day - 12th Sep 2015

Children and Parents,

Let's celebrate International Literacy Day with "The Boy and the Drum" an engaging folk tale chosen especially for this year's event by Pratham Books. This book is special because it can be performed either as a play or read as a story. 

With the talented Geetu and her Snehadhara team gearing up to tell the tale, we ourselves are agog to hear "The Boy and the Drum". Will it be a play? Will it be a story? Find out for yourselves on Saturday, 12th September 2015 at the Puttenahalli Lake from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Entry free. 

Best regards

Usha

Note: International Literacy Day is observed on 8th September every year, by the United Nations' member countries