Sarhad School Pune

“Peace, harmony, love, compassion and tolerance alone can save this planet. Wars, Guns, Hatred, Jealousy have brought no man, no society or no nation any real happiness and prosperity. 'Each man can make a difference and each man must try”. These words by J. F. Kennedy are found on the Sarhad website and these are words that Sanjay and Sushma Nahar live by, as they try to rebuild lives of some 70 Kashmiri children, 55 boys and 15 girls, in their school. The children are a mixture of Kashmiri Muslims and Buddhists from Ladakh. Many of these children have been orphaned, some losing one, others losing both parents, while the parents of a few are too poor to support them. These poor children are the offspring of guides and porters who helped the Indian army during the Kargil war. The children are from many districts of Kashmir like Baramulla, Srinagar, Ladakh, Baudhgam, Kupwara, Bandipura, Jhanskar, etc.

Sarhad and Sanjay Nahar, both have a long history of personal commitment and work in the troubled border areas of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and North-Eastern India. From 1994 onwards, 'Sarhad' has regularly been visiting the Valley and by its purposeful work winning over the confidence, trust and affection of the people. 'Sarhad' has also been interacting with officials, leaders of all sections, misguided youth and above all the people, especially those affected by the violence.
A visit to Sarhad Bhavan, which is close to Bharatiya Vidyapeeth and next to Katraj Dairy, gives a deep insight into, not just the dedication of both Sanjay and Sushma Nahar, but also the care, love, generosity and most of all wisdom, with which it is carried out. For good intentions need to be tempered with wisdom and that they have it in plenty, is made clear in all the decisions they have taken regarding the children. Their generosity too is unstinting. Most of the expenses for the children; their food, medicine, travel expenses, clothes etc are all borne by them.
Some of these children have also been the victims of atrocities. When they arrived from Kashmir, many were traumatized. They have had to deal not only with the emotional problems of children who have witnessed horrors and have been separated from their land and people, but also health problems. The children who arrived from extreme cold conditions, to moderate or even warm climate, have suffered from a number of illnesses initially. The great differences in temperature resulted in skin ailments, besides which the kids suffered from other sicknesses too, like measles and chicken pox. The ill health also meant that vast sums of money had to be spent on doctors and medicine
The adjustments have been significant. Coming from regions of snow and ice, they have had to learn to bathe daily. The mainly rice and meat eaters, have now become accustomed to a diet of chappatis and vegetables and some rice. Instead of the cups of tea they have been used to drinking, they have to drink at least one glass of milk every morning. Language was another hurdle these kids faced. They came from the outlying border districts of Kashmir and spoke many different dialects. Here they have now learnt not only to understand each other but also to speak Hindi, Marathi and English. They have finally adjusted well to the climate, the food and the environment among other things.
The school takes in local children also and the Nahars do all they can to integrate the two. Special emphasis is laid on ensuring that the Kashmiri children are never made to feel that they are in anyway, different from the other children, or suffer from any feeling of deprivation. They are also encouraged to practice their own religion, whether Islam or Buddhism and a special place is made in their rooms for prayers. The day scholars join them in celebrating their festivals like Eid, while they reciprocate in a similar fashion. Due to love, care and wise handling the children are an endearing and happy lot; smiling, friendly and outgoing.
So far the school has classes till the eight standard, from next year, ninth and tenth will be added. Though right now they are an SSC school, they hope to become CBSE soon. The medium of instruction is in English, but as the Kashmiri children came from an Urdu medium background, a lot of work had to be done in the initial stages to bring them up to the present standard. Though their oral skills have improved they still have a long way to go for their writing skills, but no doubt hard working as they are, they will get there.
Besides studies, the children also learn many other things like art, singing, dancing, karate etc. They are very talented too. Many of them paint extremely well. They eagerly show their paintings and artwork. They are very good in sports as well. Their team has played Kabaddi in the State level and three of them have been chosen for the National team.
The environment in the school is congenial and affectionate. Here the children have been able to get over their stress and trauma and look to the future. They are in an atmosphere that encourages ambitions and the setting of goals. Hope has found a place in their hearts and they can look forward to opportunities and better prospects. They are able to aspire high and have hopes of realizing their dreams. The children have set some lofty goals. Many of the girls want to become doctors, while two of them wish to become engineers. One thinks she will like to be a police officer while one is aiming for the judge’s chair. One of the youngest of the girls, chirpy and irrepressible Meesa, who can charm anyone with her engaging smile, is different and nothing will satisfy her but the idea of cutting her hair and becoming a hero like Salman Khan.
The boys too have varied ambitions. While little Tashi from Ladakh dreams of clambering walls as Spiderman, 14 year old Zahid, studying in the 7^th standard, has more realistic, though grand ambitions. He has been here since four years and now speaks fluent Hindi, Marathi and English. Zahid wishes to fight the election and become Chief Minister of Kashmir, so he can alleviate poverty and bring peace to the troubled region. Aqib paints beautifully. Sixteen year old Ashique, from Pahalgam would like to be an actor. Twelve year old Ilyas, from Baudhgam, would like to be a doctor. Asif Ali would like to be a singer and can steal a heart and bring a lump to any throat with his soulful rendition of “Mera mulk, mera desh, mera watan, shanti ka, unnati ka, pyar ka chaman”. Listening to the words one realizes that though they are far away from their state, its love lives deep within them and so does the hope of peace and progress.

Butterfly Park Pune (Published Article)

The monsoon is such a beautiful time of the year, when verdure covers every tiny inch of ground. We are greeted with the sight of green grass everywhere often freshly washed with rain, many times with some drops still nestling on the blades. Wildflowers bloom in abundance and there are butterflies everywhere. Nowhere though, is such a plethora of butterflies to be found in Pune, as in the Butterfly Park in Aranyeshwar. This exquisite garden is a retreat that has been designed aesthetically, keeping both beauty and serenity in mind. Close to Aranyeshwar Mandir, as well as the beautiful Vasantrao Eknath Bagul Nullah Park, this garden covers about an acre of ground and has two netted enclosures. A curving red earth path adds a touch of contrast to the verdant flora. The park is bordered on the right by tall silver oak trees, while a large shady neem stands at its centre. Among the many scattered benches one in particular, waits invitingly under the neem, before which grows an absolute floral feast. Sitting on this bench one can enjoy the magnificent hues of a variety of flowers rich in nectar, while watching the butterflies fly among them. In the trees above, the birds sing and call, and the very air breathes of tranquility.

The park contains a diversity of plants which are used for both nectar and feeding. Its two enclosures contain a veritable tropical jungle, meandering paths and even a small wooden bridge. Bright red flowers like the bird of paradise peep through the lush foliage of a wide assortment of plants. Butterflies flutter and flit everywhere, settling for split seconds on some flower only to fly off again. Many of the flowers favoured by butterflies like the attractive pink cosmos, the purple verbena, different coloured zinnias, ixora, (Flame of the woods, Jungle geranium), bright gold marigolds, pentas (Egyptian star cluster), asclepias(milk weeds), porterweed, multi coloured lantana etc, bloom here in vivid profusion. Porterweed has several small, blue flowers borne on green, quill-like spikes. The flowers last for just one day.

Despite the wide variety of flora the butterflies sometimes seem more partial to the lantana in all its glorious hues, over the other flowers. The lantana flowers range from deep red and yellow to the prettiest pale pastel shades. The pastel ones are larger than the normal lantana we often find, growing as wild hedges on the roadsides. There is a large assortment of feeding plants found here too, like the ashok, nerium (oleander), the sweetly fragrant michelia champaka, calotropis (rui), bryophyllum, passion flower, white and red hibiscus (shoe flower), butterfly weed etc.

A duranta plant also blooms here with its tiny blue flowers. Duranta is popularly called honey drops or golden dewdrop because of its golden yellow berries hanging in thick clusters. Though very attractive to butterflies, like some other plants, parts of the duranta are toxic as are those of nerium and lantana, and it is better to keep children away from them.

There are ambitious plans for the park, it is scheduled to have 500 to 700 varieties of butterflies, but right now there are only a few varieties like the Common Crow which is easy to identify with its black colour, marked with white. It usually glides around in leisurely flight. The swift flying, Tailed Jay, with apple green marks on a black background, barely ever stays still and is another butterfly that is present in large numbers. The yellow, orange, black and white Striped Tiger is another beautiful butterfly. Common Jezebels with their yellow and orange backs with prominent black veins, flit swiftly among the flowers, barely stopping, as do the busy Common Jays with their pretty blue marks on black. Another is the light yellow Lemon Emigrant or Common Emigrant, so called because it flies fast, covering long distances, in straight, powerful flight. Some other butterflies also found here are the Common Mormon, the Common Rose, Common Castor, Lime Butterfly, Lemon Pansy, Tawny Coster, etc. Strategically placed boards provide information that help visitors learn easily.

Though the monsoons are a good time to see butterflies, they rest when it is actually raining and then it is rare to see one in flight. The rains make the red earth path in the garden quite slippery, though; they bring their own beauty, as the trees wear a bright, glossy, washed look. Crystal droplets drip off the leaves and flowers or delicately hang from them. As the drops of water fall on the undergrowth, the grasses and leaves move suddenly, giving the appearance of flitting butterflies. The luxuriant plant life in the enclosures, during the rain, gives one a feeling of being in the thick undergrowth of some dense rainforest.

Flowering Trees of Pune (A published article)

The roads of Pune are lined with many kinds of flowering trees, which also beautify numerous gardens.Different trees flower at different times, and so through much of the year enchant us with their vivid blossoms. Quite a few of the trees are not native but have been brought in from different parts of the world, many during British rule. Some may have been planted later for their ornamental nature. Though a tree may have originated in one continent, it is often hard to tell where it came from just before it reached Indian shores. Many trees and plants adorn lands other than their native ones and are now found in different and strange parts of the world. One of these is the ubiquitous Bougainvillea.

Discovered in Brazil in 1768, by an admiral in the French Navy, Louis Antoine de Bougainville, the plant has been propagated through the tropical and subtropical regions, and can be found in many places with a warm climate. Its popularity is well deserved, for this spectacular plant adds both colour and beauty to any garden or landscape. In Pune it is found almost everywhere, brightening the roads and gardens with its myriad vivid hues.

Another frequently found flowering tree is the Frangipani or Plumeria. Commonly known as Champa here, its pink and yellow or white and yellow blooms, which grow close together, hold a sweet intoxicating fragrance. Treasured by the Polynesian Islanders for their durability, fragrances and colors, these flowers are also used by the Hawaiians for making their famous Leis

In winter we are often delighted by the sight of the pretty pink Gliricidia blooms. Often used as a live fencing, this is a native of Central America has many names there. Madre Cacao, Cacao de nance, Madriado, or even Madre are some of the names it is known by. The flowers are clustered at the tips of branches or borne along the stems on older wood. Gliricidia beautify many a hill and roadside here in Pune.

More uncommon, but beautiful in their pink red profusion, are the flowers of the Cassia marginata, popularly called red shower tree, red or rose cassia or even rainbow tree. Another rather rare but extremely beautiful tree is the Petrea Volubilis. Its delicately fashioned blooms in shades of violet and lavender, are quite different from many others. Another native of Central America, its more common names are, Queen's wreath, Purple wreath, Bluebird vine and Sandpaper vine (from its sandpaper textured leaves).

Along some streets the yellow trumpet like flowers of the Tabebuia argentea (also known as Tabebuia caraiba ), bloom in thick clusters. This herald of spring, commonly called the Silver trumpet tree, is certainly a breathtaking sight to behold, when in full bloom.

Another beautiful spring bloom is the Jacaranda. On some trees though, a few flowers are found almost year round. The Jacaranda has been planted profusely in the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe. During spring in the Southern hemisphere, the sight of the purple Jacarandas lining the roads in endless queues, seen from a height, is incredible. In Pune though, the trees are not planted so close together and one may be lucky to see two or three trees together once in a while. The thickly growing flowers are a beautiful sight indeed.

Now spring has turned to summer and the mercury is climbing ceaselessly. While we may groan under the relentless heat, summer brings its own pleasures. From mid March the male cuckoo has begun cooing its sweet mating call. Bare trees have been covered with shiny new leaves and pretty blossoms. On many roads pinkish powder puffs or fairy dusters, beam from their glossy, verdant canopies. The glorious ‘Sun mohur’ trees transform the landscape with their bright and cheery blossoms. They are aptly named ‘Roadside flowers’ as they cover the pavements with soft yellow carpets.

As April advances the best has begun to appear, for no tree can compare with the stunning grandeur of the Delonix Regia. The flamboyant Gulmohur, resplendent with its fiery blooms, is the most stunning of flowering trees. These will continue to adorn the streets till the monsoon