A poetic tribute from a visitor to our lake

Our meetings with visitors to the lake happen either by prior appointment or by chance. We see someone looking intently at a bird or a tree or at one of our information boards. Invariably, we will go up to that person introduce ourselves and start talking.  If they happen to have a camera, you can pretty much be certain that we will strike up a conversation with the stranger. Much like Coleridge's ancient mariner. :-)  Each stranger could be a potential resource person who can help us and the lake with their knowledge, time or a donation. It doesn't matter if they are none of these. We hope they will come more frequently and develop a bond with the lake, with Nature.

Our meeting with Dr. Harini Santhanam, a post doctoral researcher at IISc. on 21st Sept. was by design. We were excited to meet someone who could give us some tips on conservation. She did exactly that. Our discussion lasted for nearly two hours and was a brainstorming of ideas and sharing experiences. 

Meetings  prearranged or accidental are followed up with an email, usually from us. Dr. Harini however wrote a poem after her visit to the lake. We were reminded of Padma Bhushan Smt. Sudha Ragunathan's song in praise of lakes she'd sung at the PNLIT fund raiser concert in Feb. 

Such tributes come from the heart and we cherish them.

Thank you, Dr. Harini!

Best

Usha

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Lake of love

By Dr Harini Santhanam

What is a lake? 

I asked myself

A being of joy said they

who cared for it and nurtured it 

day by day, everyday!

What did you do when the going had been tough, asked I

We pulled up our sleeves and got help, said they

We observed and not merely looked on

And we cured the maladies that affected the lake-soul each day

What do you do when the going gets tough these days,

asked I, again.

We have each other's shoulders for support, said they 

to keep the lake alive and happy, come what may!

You call it lake conservation - 

We call it lake nourishment

Then I knew that the secret road map for sustainable development  

really did exist - in passion and love for Nature
In a sweet Cosmic Play, perhaps
Nature's maladies and Nature's cures,
start and end in human hearts!

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