Tuesday 28 January 2020

Shrinking Urban Lakes- Impending Disaster

Urban lakes were a distinctive feature of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. These lakes and ponds in the Deccan plateau were formed over centuries. These water bodies served many purposes like:

  • Natural water storage
  • Home for water birds and fish alike
  • Flood reservoirs
  • Naturally controlled rain water flow and check dams
  • Water for irrigation etc
Over a period of time, these lakes and ponds have been encroached upon. More than two thirds of these urban lakes have been lost forever. With the lakes, we have robbed the birds of their food as well as nesting trees and banks. Mankind is responsible for this caulous destruction.

Richness of bird life around these lakes is to be seen to be believed. We bring you few pictures taken over 10 days in January 2020 around Yapral lake

You can see the rising pollution level in the lake over a short period of ten days. This pollution is caused by the discharge of sewage into the lake by the colonies situated around it. Most irresponsible act. 


Will Yapral Lake be home to the birds in future also?
Let the pictures speak. Special thanks to Wing Cdr Yella Prakash Rao for spearheading a cleanliness drive and for sharing superb pictures.




You can hear the Teals while flying in a short video below. The ducks make a circuit and land after two minutes of flying!
More pictures follow.



How does a Coot preen itself? Almost blending with foliage, see the video of a Coot below.

We bring you more pictures of birds around Yapral lake.









While the spot-billed ducks are resident of Indian sub-continent, many other ducks migrate from colder regions of the world. One such migrant is the Northern Shoveller. See the make below who has come all the way from Europe. Thank God the birds are not governed by Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)!









See a Black-crowned Night Heron in the short video below. Please ignore the loud chatter of accompanying birders!
The birders also undertook cleaning of lake bund. Even small children joined in.


A joint cleaning drive was undertaken by Deccan Birders and residents of Swarnandhra and Prakrutik Vihar. A short video clip showing the voluntary effort:




We come back to the question- Will the Heron continue its dance in the next season?

We end with a picturesque quote on the importance of water.

Thanks for browsing. Help us save our environment. Raise your voice against pollution. Every person counts in this battle.

   -Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Yella Prakash Rao/ 28th Jan 2020

#environment #pollution #savethelakes #water #birds #trees #plants #fish #encroachment #environmentalpreservation #ecowarriors #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

Monday 20 January 2020

A Legend Lives On

"He was a towering giant"
"A different breed of people who showed us how to have strong work ethics and yet full of love, compassion and empathy.
"Always full of life"
"Amar his name- personified his actions"
"Instrumental in setting up a world class Institute"
"We have lost an institutional treasure"
"Lived a full life with purpose and honour"
"Will always continue to live in our hearts"
"बहुत ही मिलनसार थे "
" I still have all the postcards written by him on my birthdays year after year"
"He was a father figure to one and all who met him"
"A memorable part of our past has moved on"
" He led an exemplary life"
"It is a great loss not only to the family but to the entire Pilani fraternity"
"I am going to look up the sky tomorrow as he becomes a star"


These are some of the messages which came on our father's demise. Shri Amar Nath Bhargava passed away peacefully on 17th Jan 2020 in Jaipur. He was two months short of his 93rd birthday. The fact that he touched so many lives is a testimony of his persona. From his six year old great granddaughter to ninety-three year old elder in the family, responses have been spontaneous and heart touching. For a life lived so well, let us not be in grief. Rather, our Dad's life needs celebration. 


We thank each and everyone who visited us, messaged, called, or sent flowers. The void created by his death is being filled with your love and affection. Keep it coming friends, family, former colleagues, past and present neighbours, former students, their parents, friends' friends- we just love it! Pilani was in his blood. Mere mention of Pilani would brighten up his face.

"You have made me ten years younger"- was his instantaneous reaction on being felicitated with Guru Dakshina by the Alumni of BITS 1970-75 batch. You may browse the full story here.

As we were preparing him for the final journey, BITS Alumni Association Global Meet (BGM) 2020 was in progress at Goa. On seeing an on-line message, the BGM proceedings were interrupted on 18th morning and two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to him. A great gesture indeed.

Sharing few pictures of last few months when many people had visited him in Jaipur. Countless others whose pictures with him are not here, please pardon us. Do share your picture with Dad or an anecdote. Am sure he will be happy viewing it from top!







When he turned ninety in 2017, we wrote a short poem for him on his 90th birthday. You may like to browse it here.

A Legend lives on.
Once again with gratitude to all of you.

    - From all of us in the family
      - Harsh-Neeta, Raj-Sarita, Rishi-Poonam and Ankush in Jaipur
      - Prabjoth, Ansh and Anuva in Chennai
      - Akanksha, Ankur, Nikhil and Naman in USA
      - Deepti, Karthik and Arjit in Greater Noida

20th Jan 2020
Jaipur

#lossofaparent #fathergoesaway #legendliveson #celebratinglife #dad #touchinglives #amarnathbhargava #broughtsmiles #postcards #bhargavas #bitspilani #institutionbuilder #largerthanlife #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh