Kaushambi’s banana may land up in export basket

Agriculture, Business & Economy

Allahabad :

The low-priced Kaushambi banana may find its way into country’s export basket.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of the Union government has agreed to set up a ripening centre at Mandi Samiti premises in Kaushambi. As many as 2,132 farmers may get an opportunity to export G-9 variety of banana to foreign countries, including West Asia and Sri Lanka.

A two-member APEDA team arrived in Kaushambi to analyse the prospects of export and held a meeting with district officials.

District horticulture officer (Kaushambi) R S Yadav said: “The district is one the biggest centres of banana production. The crop is cultivated in around 1,785 hectare of land here.” As many as 2,132 farmers are engaged in production. Around 650 quintals of banana per hectare is produced annually. In total, around 1.16 lakh quintals is cultivated.

Kaushambi MP Vinod Sonkar has taken initiative to invite the officials of APEDA and explore the possibilities of export.

Allahabad and Kaushambi regions are known for banana cultivation. Officials claim that there was demand for G-9 variety from many states.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Kapil Dixit, TNN / June 07th, 2015

‘Fabricator’ on world tour after losing a leg

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports

Allahabad :

BV Narayana was in his early twenties when he lost a leg after being hit by a group of motorcyclists. After three decades, he decided to tour across the globe to make people aware of traffic norms so that they could be saved from the pain that he had to undergo.

A sports and adventure enthusiast, Narayan had earlier gone around the world, covering 59 countries on bicycle in 1979 when he was 19 years old. Narayana started his journey from his birthplace Bangalore on February 5. He passed through the city on way to Delhi on Monday for onward journey that covers around 90,000 kms. He has designed a vehicle in which his bags, medical kits and other items have been kept.

He said, “I want to sensitise people about physically and mentally disabled persons and above all, I want to ensure that people especially children learn traffic rules and strictly abide by them.”

Narayana, who is employed as a marketing executive at a transport company, opts to call himself a ‘Fabricator’. He designs special vehicles for physically disabled by modifying the ordinary vehicles.

Narayana has put a banner on his bike in which he has make an appeal to parents not to give vehicles to minors, use helmet while driving two-wheelers and not to talk on cell phones while driving. He has also make an appeal to get the blood group of bridegroom checked before marriage.

“Scientists says that same blood group of bride and groom may results in deformity of future generation so I have displayed this prominently,” he said. He intends to tour 25 countries across in West Asia, Africa and Europe. “After receiving visa from Delhi, I would to Mumbai from where I have planned to catch the flight to UAE,” Narayana said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Vinod Khanal / June 02nd, 2015

Neglected 300-yr-old Ayurvedic manuscripts to be preserved

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology

Allahabad :

Regional Manuscript Library, the lone government manuscript library in the state, has added to its treasure around 300-year-old manuscripts of medical papers and volumes penned by Ayurvedacharyas, who have elaborated symptoms and cure of common and chronic diseases by Himalayan herbs. The medicinal plants described in the manuscripts are now on the verge of extinction.

The original manuscript kept in a dark and damp room lies neglected away from public eyes. Experts have failed to find the authors of couple of letters and date was yet to be ascertained. The first one, which could be for scholars and medicos, is a medical volume ‘Vaidak Granth’ by Ayurvaidacharya Ramvinod Ramchandra Shastri. It describes symptoms and cure of 201 diseases.

The volume comprising 209 papers also has an index of diseases. The medical volume was said to be over 250 years old but experts have failed to use modern technology to find out the actual period to which the papers belongs. In the modern era of pathological tests, the manuscripts also throw light on ways to identify diseases by the colour of urine. Apart from common cold, fever, stomach related ailments, migraine and epilepsy, the letters also suggest treatment of gynecological diseases by certain herbs.

Researchers could benefit from medical letters. The manuscripts originally had 209 letters but two are missing. “‘Yog Chintamani’ is another Ayurvedic manuscript that the library has. It was authored in 1722 and sought by researchers as it is said to be a complete medical guide,” Amit Agnihotri, regional archive officer and in-charge of library said.

The papers are in poor condition. The actual date of the diary and name of scholars were yet to be researched. But by gauging the condition, the date is around 300 years old. Another one is ‘Ayurvedic Nighantu’, which describes medicinal qualities of various herbs and shrubs founds in northern India.

The papers are in Sanskrit and majority of plants mentioned are now endangered and rare. “The manuscripts are being preserved by cleaning with chemicals like chlorobenzene and keeping them away from humid and moist weather,” Agnihotri added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Vinod Khanal / June 01st, 2015

UP ‘miracle baby’ born at 750gm, fits into palm

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

Aligarh :

Doctors at a local medical facility in Aligarh are in disbelief as they attend to a baby who just 750 gm, and almost fits in the palm. Born pre-mature at seven months to Pinki, 20, from Chandaus village, the baby is said to be stable, but still under high-risk.

According to doctors, the normal birth weight of the baby should be around 2.6 kg and the condition is ‘extreme high-risk’ when the weight at birth is less than 1000 gm.

Gynecologist Anjula Bhargava, who delivered the baby said, “The mother had various complications when she came to us. So, we had to go ahead and deliver baby. At seven months, the baby should be at least 1.5 kg. This is a tiny baby with partly developed respiratory system, among other difficulties. He needs to be immediately shifted to a bigger facility to survive,” she says.

But the father of the baby, who’s a BSF jawan, is unable to afford the cost of the treatment outside Aligarh. Immediately after the birth, on May 21, when the family went looking a facility in town, they were simply turned down by because of the risk involved.

They finally managed to admit the baby at Aligarh’s Makhan Lal Hospital & Child Care Centre, where he’s presently undergoing treatment.

Child specialist at the Centre, Dr Sunil Gupta, said, “We took him only after making it clear that there is no guarantee of his survival, though we will give our best. In this case, the mortality rate is high. They told us how they spent hours looking for the right medical facility. All I can say is the child is lucky to survive with no medical care for hours after the birth. A normal child should weigh 2.5 kgs at the birth and lesser than 1.6 kg is low birth weight, and lesser than 1,000 gm is extreme low birth weight.”

At the centre, he is being continuously being supplied with oxygen to strengthen respiratory system. The treatment is also on to keep away Septicemia (blood infection), and to make sure that he tolerates feed, said Dr Gupta.

Uncle of the baby, Om Prakash, who is a farmer, said they were heartbroken when they first saw the baby. “We did not know where to go for help. We just wrapped him in a cloth and rushed from one medical centre to another in the scorching heat. When three centres turned us down, we lost hope. Now the doctors tells me his condition is improving,” he says.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Agra / by Eram Agha, TNN / May 25th, 2015

Lucknow scientists find molecule that fights lifestyle diseases

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technology, World Opinion

A wonder molecule, isolated from a Himalayan tree, may hold the key to a new and efficient drug against diabetes and obesity.

The adiponectin hormone was discovered more than 15 years ago. But despite a large number of laboratory studies demonstrating its potential as a drug candidate, the molecule could not be exploited because of the logistical problems in creating the drug in laboratories.

Indian researchers have now come up with a solution to the problem. They have isolated a molecule from the Himalayan Elm tree that mimics adiponectin. The molecule is orally active, which means it can be developed as an orally consumable medicine.

The drug candidate was isolated from the stem-bark of Kashmir Elm, a tree found in mountains from Afghanistan to Nepal, including Kumaon and Garhwal in India. The tree grows at elevations of 800-3,000 m.

“Initial studies suggest that our molecule (called GTDF based on its long and complicated chemical name) is non-toxic. But we would prefer to do preclinical trial jointly with a company in large animals,” team leader Sabyasachi Sanyal from the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, told Deccan Herald.

Laboratory studies so far have demonstrated the molecule’s ability to tackle lifestyle diseases like diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity. However, it is early days as the drug development process can take anything between 15 and 20 years from the initial leads.

“It is an interesting piece of work that shows GTDF is an orally active adiponectin-receptor activator. The studies will prove a panacea in treating obesity as well as diabetes,” said Avadesha Surolia, an Indian Institute of Science professor not associated with the study.

The CDRI findings have been accepted for publication in American Diabetes Association journal Diabetes.

The Lucknow team stumbled upon the new properties of GTDF while researching on it as a bone-fracture-healing agent.

The same CDRI team in 2012 had reported on the new-bone-forming properties of GTDF, because of which it is being developed as an oral medicine for bone fracture. The technology was transferred to a US company, Kemextree, for drug development.

“While trying to decipher how it conducts its bone-forming activity, we identified it as an orally active small molecule that mimics the action of the hormone adiponectin,” said Sanyal.

The CDRI scientists further studied the compound’s medicinal properties in collaboration with the Zydus Research Centre, Ahmedabad, and the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> National / by Kalyan Ray, New Delhi / DHNS – June 11th, 2014

Ganj carnival to be monthly feature

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lucknow :

In view of the success of Ganj Carnival that was organized in the city this Sunday, the administration has decided to make it a regular event to be held once a month in the summer months and fortnightly in the rainy and winter seasons.

After a meeting here on Tuesday, district magistrate Raj Shekhar said, “Considering present weather conditions, available resources and effort needed to keep the tradition of ‘Ganjing’ alive, district administration has decided to organise the carnival once a month.” Food court, art gallery, Handicraft, talent hunt, completions , photo exhibition, fun zone will be standard features but theme will be different each time.

In summers, the carnival will take place on the second Sunday of month and will be held on alternate Sundays rest of the year. Carnival will not take place during the Lucknow Mahotsava. Accordingly, timing for no traffic zone in Hazratganj was also decided—6pm to 11 pm in summer and rainy seasons and 5pm to 10pm in winters.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / May 27th, 2015

Tourism dept weaves ‘Banarasi life’ into heritage walk

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel

Lucknow :

Varanasi is set to join the ‘experience tourism club’ with state tourism department deciding to start a heritage walk in the temple town, soon. ‘Circle of life’ walk, promises to be an experience of the Banarasi way of life and will have 16 major attractions in the stretch between Assi Ghat and Dal Mandi.

A meeting of tourism officials with representatives from International Center for Sustainable Cities took place here on Thursday to finalise the route map and work out logistics. Consultant on the job and heritage walk specialist Sameeha Sheth said experience is the work in the tourism sector these days and Varanasi is full of elements to provide a bagful of memories.

“The heritage walk would link all unique tangible and intangible assets of Varanasi, its historic core and significant establishment along the river Ganga. Covering approximately 4 km, the heritage walk would also allow visitors to experience, rituals and expressions performed at different ghats, temples, maths and other significant cultural escapades,” she said.

Talking to TOI, UP Tourism director general Amrit Abhijat said, “More than 160 lakh tourists including 6.5 lakh foreigners head to the city annually. Each comes with his own idea of the world’s oldest city but many fail to get the real feel of the city and go back dissatisfied. Heritage trails are a good way to showcase the best in a place and prepare individuals for a person to person publicity.”

He added that infrastructure on and along the spots on the route and would be augmented. For this the department is collaborating with the local municipal corporation and administration. List of work to be undertaken includes raising signage, putting up waste bins, installing lights, creating public toilets and parking spaces, setting up ticket information kiosks and providing drinking water facilities. Landscaping and creation of photo-points will also be taken care of.

CIRCLE OF LIFE

– State tourism department plans heritage walk in Varanasi, UP’s favourite tourist destination after Agra

– Name proposed for the walk is ‘Circle of life’ promising a visitor experience of Banarasi way of life through its craft, culture and cuisine.

– Consultants said at least three private heritage trails were operating already

– Private tours not giving complete view of Varanasi. Also, very expensive

– Training of guides and volunteers to begin mid-May and walk to commence from July

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Shailvee Sharda, TNN / May 01st, 2015

Deogarh, a potential world heritage site in UP

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

Lucknow :

In a quiet corner of Uttar Pradesh that sticks into its neighbouring state, amidst lush greenery, is a slice of heritage that few have set eyes on. The Betwa flows nearby, separating the area from Madhya Pradesh. If a visitor enters this tranquil setting, he is startled by the beauty and antiquity of what he witnesses. A short drive from the district headquarters Lalitpur, the forests running on both sides of the road part to give a glimpse of a small shrine on the right. A board put up by the Archaeological SURVEY of India advertises the presence of the Dashavatara Temple.

Time and ignorance have camouflaged this structure well and what looks like a nondescript structure from a distance is striking up close. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu. Created on each of the four external wall faces of this otherwise innocuous temple is a riot in stone. While the front entrance has sculptures of various gods and goddesses in moods varying from contemplation to affection made on it and above them is Vishnu flanked by two of his avatars Narasimha and Vamana, it is the sides of the temple that arrest the viewer. On each of the three sides of the temple is a niche made in the wall and carved into the niche are dramatic representations of Vishnu’s various FORMS. One niche has Vishnu lying in relaxed pose on the coils of Sheshnag, shown here in full glory with seven hoods. At Vishnu’s feet is Laxmi while various gods and goddesses soar around them. Another niche – the one at the back – depicts the concept of Nar Narayana or the fusion of the divine and the human. The third niche brings alive the story of Vishnu coming to the aid of the trapped elephant Gaja. So delicate are the lines made on stone that the elephant’s faith in his god is almost tangible. Sadly, the idol in the inner sanctum is missing and one can only imagine its beauty, on the basis of the rock cuts on the outer walls.

The forested grounds opposite the Dashavatara rises abruptly into a hill. Covered in vegetation, the hill directly overlooks the Betwa on three sides. The fort atop the hill was built at this spot with a view to cement a line of defence on the river, from any attackers coming from the south or west. While the fort is largely ruined, conservation efforts within have seen a set of Jain temples being preserved. The ASI lists as many as 31 Jain temples here, dated into two broad periods of temple-building. Given the wide range of Jain religious craftsmanship displayed here, it seems that the religion thrived here for several centuries. In what is a virtual museum of Jain art, the place has manasthamba votive pillars standing in the courtyard of temples; sahastrakuta pillars each depicting a thousand gods as well as panels showcasing mythological events such as the penance of the various tirthankaras. Both the quality of the rock cuts and the sheer NUMBERS amaze a visitor. The place is a growing pilgrimage center for the Jain faith, but needs greater exploration. Amidst the dense undergrowth that surrounds the Jain complex on the hill, human hands have cut through a walking path which allows visitors to reach further treasures around. In one corner is a ruined Varaha shrine. In three separate spots, steps cut into the cliffs overlooking the river from ghats. Alongside most of these are Hindu rock cuts which predate the Jain temples at the top of the hill. In recent times, fresh archaeological finds in the vicinity have revealed that the site also had a Buddhist past in ancient times.

The obscurity of Deogarh and the startling beauty of its heritage make for a lethal combination. The area has been witness to antique thefts. Visitors are few and density of local population is low. Locals present in the area are pathetically poor and do not have the means to a better lifestyle. At a time when the state government is speaking in terms of the Heritage Arc, Deogarh and the region around it present a great opportunity to extend the arc to include such pockets. Better CONNECTIVITY, especially by way of a road bridge to neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, would help. The place has a ramshackle UP Tourism tourist bungalow whose sole redeeming feature is a hardworking caretaker, but it needs serious investment to become a reasonable place to stay in. There are no other stay options than a dharamshala. Mobile networks in the area are extremely poor. Infrastructure development in this area could transform this backward zone into a cockpit for the development of all of Bundelkhand.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / April 18th, 2015

This two-wheeler won’t budge without helmet

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Lucknow :

His innovation has power to save lives. On Monday, Himanshu Garg, a student from Agra, received cash prize of Rs 5 lakh from Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for developing a technology that ensures a motorcycle cannot start until the rider straps on a helmet.

For Himanshu, it is not his first experiment with practical science. His most recent innovation involves a bike that not does start unless the rider wears a helmet. More over, the engine’s power will be cut off if the helmet is removed during the ride.

The electronic fuse can be charged with a solar panel or mobile phone chargers. The price of the helmet, once the prototype is finalised and ready for commercial use, will be higher than of regular ones. Garg also said on Monday he had earlier developed a technology that could prevent train collisions by bringing a train to a halt at a 300 meter distance of each other if they were on the same track. He also said he was felicitated by former Railway minister Mamata Banerjee for his feat.

On Monday, the wiz kid demonstrated the technique in the presence of Akhilesh at the latter’s official residence. Lauding his efforts, the CM recommended that industry bodies like ASSOCHAM help commercialise the product. Announcing the award to facilitate more innovations by Garg, Akhilesh also said his government will set up an Innovation Fund to encourage scientific temper among students.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / April 07th, 2015

Forest dwellers turning jewellery designers

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Lucknow :

Black and red `ghunchi’ seeds can turn into exquisite necklaces and danglers when beaded with sandal and other seeds. Bamboo similarly can be made into an eco-friendly strap for a wrist watch or a piece of jewellery for neck, ears and fingers. Women who have for ages depended on forest for their livelihood are turning designers in converting forest produce into attractively done jewellery pieces and souvenirs for home decor.

Training of the women folk is a part of the community development programme taken up by state government in forest areas under its eco-tourism policy. The programme aims at making forest dwellers self-dependent. Training has been completed at Dudhwa and, at present, is being conducted at Rampurwa village in Katarniaghat.

“Most of these people cut trees for firewood. I am making them learn other uses of forest produce,” said trainer Neera Sarmah.

Once eco-tourism starts at all the locations identified for it in the state, tourists may get to buy the products directly from locals. But providing market linkages to local communities so that they can fetch fair price for their products is also being worked out.

“A traditional `dalia’ (basket made of twigs) is what many may like to buy but do not know where to get the ethnic one. These forest dwellers have been making it for ages,” said director, Dudhwa tiger reserve, Sanjay Singh.

Programme is being conducted along with the UP Forest Corporation (UPFC) which is a nodal agency for eco-tourism in the state.

Sites like Katarniaghat on Gerua river in Bahraich, Chuka ghat in Pilibhit on Sharda dam, Chambal ravines in Agra, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary in Unnao, Chandraprabha Rajdari water falls and Deodari water falls in Varanasi, Sarsainawar Sarus Sanctuary in Etawah, Sandi Bird Sanctuary in Hardoi, Noida Bird Sanctuary and Kalpi river cruise in Yamuna in Jalaun have been identified as eco-tourism spots.

Despite being announced two years ago, eco-tourism policy of UP government is yet to catch pace.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Neha Shukla, TNN / April 06th, 2015