By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 29: In no time city would turn another Chennai if immediate remedial steps are not taken with the reports of salt-water intrusion into the groundwater coming in from some parts of the city and rural belt. Recently the residents of coastal battery, near collectorate, Kota Veedhi, the Old Post Office and Port areas in I town. Mulakuddu and Nagarapalem, besides, parts of Thagarapuvalasa in the rural areas were surprised to taste water of saline nature instead of fresh groundwater. Chennai is known for its saltwater intrusion two decades ago. The Chennai people have gone in for much groundwater pumping and did not follow the artificial recharge to groundwater. This caused the city a major damage. The people there are now not getting freshwater from the ground. “We were surprised to get saltwater from our well in our backyard instead of freshwater. We never used municipal tap water as our well water tasted good. It was never like this before” said Ramu a resident of coastal battery. Experts pointed out that the saltwater intrusion was due to excess pumping of groundwater and no scope for recharge of the groundwater. Urbanisation has given people a modern outlook in every aspect, including their homes. And there is no space to recharge the groundwater in the houses with every household plastering its compounds in tiles or cement. In advancing places like Vizag, it is natural the water demands remain on the rise and the growing urban populace affects availability of water and depletion in its quality. When freshwater is withdrawn at a faster rate than it can be replenished, a water table draw down sets in with a resulting decrease in the overall hydrostatic pressure. And when this happens near an ocean shoreline, the saltwater from the sea intrudes into the freshwater aquifer. The result is that freshwater supply continues getting saltwater contaminated. “Reckless extraction and overexploitation of very small quantities of groundwater causes a rapid depletion and deterioration in its quantity and quality. Though we have not received any specific complaint about the saltwater intrusion but the coastal battery area is affected with this,” said Ground Water Department deputy director, D Bhima Sankar Rao. Groundwater usage in the district, and in the City, is 34 per cent on the whole. So there is an urgent need to take steps to recharge the groundwater to avoid the impending threat of saltwater intrusion spreading to other areas, he added. The Ground Water Department has been suggesting the local bodies to insist on setting up of recharge structures during constructions of commercial buildings, residential complexes and industrial houses. Once saltwater intrusion takes place, one cannot replace the eventuality. It will persist forever. “One way Visakhapatnam is fortunate due to the hills surrounding the city. These hills protect groundwater. The City residents need to adopt artificial recharge. Awareness of this is essential, and rainwater harvesting needs be followed,” said the senior official. Groundwater can be recharged with rooftop rainwater or even storm run off harvesting through a recharge pit, a recharge trench, tube well and recharge well.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Poultry sector in trouble
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 5: Corporate culture and the entry of someinternational players into poultry recently has left thousands of farmersjobless in the three districts of north Andhra. It’s not the Bird Flu butthe entry of MNCs in this sector made 300 poultry farms in north Andhraclose their business.It is estimated that more than 4,000 people, who were dependant on thesefarms till recently, have now turned agricultural labourers to eke outtheir living. The new companies are offering chicken and other poultryproducts at cheaper rates with the newly introduced Integrated system bythem in the farming. “The age old private poultry farming vanishedcompletely. The ancient structure of poultry industry like farmersinvesting for farming and rearing the bird is gone. These big players andinternational firms have disturbed this trend. They are investing moneyand getting bulk work done on contract basis. Now thousands of poultryworkers and farmers are on roads,” said BroMark district president PSeshagiri Rao.Apart from the getting work done on contract basis these big players areadaopting-alluring techniques to encourage traders to sell more and morechicken and other poultry products. These companies are offering trips toforeign countries like Singapore, Malaysia and others, gold coins if theylift 2,000 to 3,000 kilos of chicken each day. These traders are buyingchicken in larger quantities at lesser prices and supplying it to smallershops at competitive prices at which these petty farmers are unable tosupply. “Its not the bird flu scare that affected the poultry industry inthese three districts but unhealthy trend of farming on contract basis,bulk purchases, branding the product, integrated system adapted by somebig players as part of their corporate culture that entered in the fieldand some international players getting in spoiled the entire industry. Noone is coming forward to help us. Our repeated pleas to the governmentfalling on deaf ears, ” said Rao.“I don’t mind whether the chicken is from a private farmer or supplied bya MNC I just see the benefits I get out of it. Apart from good money Ihave an opportunity to visit foreign countries, which I dreamt of them.That’s how I’m selling their chicken,” said a chicken trader who justreturned from a junket to Singapore organized by a Corporate Houserecently.
Visakhapatnam, Mar 5: Corporate culture and the entry of someinternational players into poultry recently has left thousands of farmersjobless in the three districts of north Andhra. It’s not the Bird Flu butthe entry of MNCs in this sector made 300 poultry farms in north Andhraclose their business.It is estimated that more than 4,000 people, who were dependant on thesefarms till recently, have now turned agricultural labourers to eke outtheir living. The new companies are offering chicken and other poultryproducts at cheaper rates with the newly introduced Integrated system bythem in the farming. “The age old private poultry farming vanishedcompletely. The ancient structure of poultry industry like farmersinvesting for farming and rearing the bird is gone. These big players andinternational firms have disturbed this trend. They are investing moneyand getting bulk work done on contract basis. Now thousands of poultryworkers and farmers are on roads,” said BroMark district president PSeshagiri Rao.Apart from the getting work done on contract basis these big players areadaopting-alluring techniques to encourage traders to sell more and morechicken and other poultry products. These companies are offering trips toforeign countries like Singapore, Malaysia and others, gold coins if theylift 2,000 to 3,000 kilos of chicken each day. These traders are buyingchicken in larger quantities at lesser prices and supplying it to smallershops at competitive prices at which these petty farmers are unable tosupply. “Its not the bird flu scare that affected the poultry industry inthese three districts but unhealthy trend of farming on contract basis,bulk purchases, branding the product, integrated system adapted by somebig players as part of their corporate culture that entered in the fieldand some international players getting in spoiled the entire industry. Noone is coming forward to help us. Our repeated pleas to the governmentfalling on deaf ears, ” said Rao.“I don’t mind whether the chicken is from a private farmer or supplied bya MNC I just see the benefits I get out of it. Apart from good money Ihave an opportunity to visit foreign countries, which I dreamt of them.That’s how I’m selling their chicken,” said a chicken trader who justreturned from a junket to Singapore organized by a Corporate Houserecently.
Vizagites ready to ride the waves at Rushikonda
SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 14: If you have always envied surfboard enthusiasts who seem to tame the waves of the sea with their skilful maneuvering but don't quite find the beaches of Vizag as appealing as those of Miami or Hawaii or our own beach paradise Goa, a pleasant surprise awaits you. Regulars at the Rushikonda beach did a double take at the rare sight of a surfer riding the majestic waves. Vizag, known as the jewel on the Coromandel Coast will soon turn a Hawaii, the place known for sea surfing if the sport taken in full swing.
For the adventure freaks of Vizag, Lebahian Sebastian from Reunion Island, a French province, brings the perfect ocean adventure -sea surfing at Rushikonda beach. The beach is considered as one of the best places for sea surfing in the world.
"Wow this is a wonderful place for surfing. I have been to Hawaii, Mauritius and many other places and Rushikonda stands out as ideal for sea surfing. It's the clean sand surface here that makes surfing exciting and easy. Besides, it is safer than many other places since there are no sharp edged rocks and rough surfaces," says Lebihan Sebastian who runs Oxbow Surf School in the island in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius.
Sebastian and his wife Lebihan Marine chose to spend a five-week holiday on Rushikonda beach after they came to know about the place from some sea surfing enthusiasts on the Internet. Now they wish to give surfing lessons to some of the locals to promote the sport.
The couple has started a sea surfing demonstration camp in association with Visakha Water Sports Club for the benefit of Vizagites on Friday and the camp will be on till March 20. The adrenaline rush that surfing promises is something else altogether, says the couple.
"Surfing is fun and adventurous. It's easy too. Just take a surfboard, tie the leash, get out and hit the waves. You feel like you are flying in the air above the waters while going by the waves. And the cool breeze here, the serene beauty surrounded by hills give a pleasant and natural pristine experience," Sebastian says. Sebastian's wife Marine adds that until 10 years ago, sea surfers in their island were only a few hundred but now they are in thousands. "The 80km stretch of sea coast of our island has now became crowded. We were in search for another best sea surfing destination and a friend from France suggested Rushikonda. This is indeed one of the best beaches I have seen in India and across the globe," says Marine.
When asked what a person needs to start riding the waves, Sebastian says, "Swimming experience and little bit of confidence with enthusiasm to do something thrilling are enough to hit the waves with a surfboard. We feel like floating on the waters while going into the sea to catch the 11th or 12th wave, which has the power to carry the sea surfers. After that it's like flying in the air."
" I feel like I have conquered the sea by riding the waves. I am on top of the world," says Gabiale, a Standard 11 student who just learnt surfing from Sebastian. The sea surfing master who has many international accolades in the sport also manufactures sea surfboards at his island. He gave two surfboards to the local club.
"Some of our boys are already well-trained, courtesy Sebastian. They will pass on these lessons to other local enthusiasts, says Prof NAV Reddy of the Visakha Water Sports Club. The organisers are now planning to conduct more such camps in future. "I know Rushikonda has always that potential to have water sports. If slowly, sea surfing activity catches up here in no time Rushikonda would become perfect global destination for this activity," says Vinay, who works for a local BPO.
“A French team already identified Mangamaripeta and Rushikonda beaches as best places for sea surfing. Mangamaripeta has the 800mts wave, the longest world” says Visakha Valley school principal, Sharada Reddy, an water sports enthusiast. Earlier the sea was dotted with only fishing boats but now slowly hobie catboats, sea kayaks are being seen and latest the surfboards.
Visakhapatnam, Mar 14: If you have always envied surfboard enthusiasts who seem to tame the waves of the sea with their skilful maneuvering but don't quite find the beaches of Vizag as appealing as those of Miami or Hawaii or our own beach paradise Goa, a pleasant surprise awaits you. Regulars at the Rushikonda beach did a double take at the rare sight of a surfer riding the majestic waves. Vizag, known as the jewel on the Coromandel Coast will soon turn a Hawaii, the place known for sea surfing if the sport taken in full swing.
For the adventure freaks of Vizag, Lebahian Sebastian from Reunion Island, a French province, brings the perfect ocean adventure -sea surfing at Rushikonda beach. The beach is considered as one of the best places for sea surfing in the world.
"Wow this is a wonderful place for surfing. I have been to Hawaii, Mauritius and many other places and Rushikonda stands out as ideal for sea surfing. It's the clean sand surface here that makes surfing exciting and easy. Besides, it is safer than many other places since there are no sharp edged rocks and rough surfaces," says Lebihan Sebastian who runs Oxbow Surf School in the island in the Indian Ocean near Mauritius.
Sebastian and his wife Lebihan Marine chose to spend a five-week holiday on Rushikonda beach after they came to know about the place from some sea surfing enthusiasts on the Internet. Now they wish to give surfing lessons to some of the locals to promote the sport.
The couple has started a sea surfing demonstration camp in association with Visakha Water Sports Club for the benefit of Vizagites on Friday and the camp will be on till March 20. The adrenaline rush that surfing promises is something else altogether, says the couple.
"Surfing is fun and adventurous. It's easy too. Just take a surfboard, tie the leash, get out and hit the waves. You feel like you are flying in the air above the waters while going by the waves. And the cool breeze here, the serene beauty surrounded by hills give a pleasant and natural pristine experience," Sebastian says. Sebastian's wife Marine adds that until 10 years ago, sea surfers in their island were only a few hundred but now they are in thousands. "The 80km stretch of sea coast of our island has now became crowded. We were in search for another best sea surfing destination and a friend from France suggested Rushikonda. This is indeed one of the best beaches I have seen in India and across the globe," says Marine.
When asked what a person needs to start riding the waves, Sebastian says, "Swimming experience and little bit of confidence with enthusiasm to do something thrilling are enough to hit the waves with a surfboard. We feel like floating on the waters while going into the sea to catch the 11th or 12th wave, which has the power to carry the sea surfers. After that it's like flying in the air."
" I feel like I have conquered the sea by riding the waves. I am on top of the world," says Gabiale, a Standard 11 student who just learnt surfing from Sebastian. The sea surfing master who has many international accolades in the sport also manufactures sea surfboards at his island. He gave two surfboards to the local club.
"Some of our boys are already well-trained, courtesy Sebastian. They will pass on these lessons to other local enthusiasts, says Prof NAV Reddy of the Visakha Water Sports Club. The organisers are now planning to conduct more such camps in future. "I know Rushikonda has always that potential to have water sports. If slowly, sea surfing activity catches up here in no time Rushikonda would become perfect global destination for this activity," says Vinay, who works for a local BPO.
“A French team already identified Mangamaripeta and Rushikonda beaches as best places for sea surfing. Mangamaripeta has the 800mts wave, the longest world” says Visakha Valley school principal, Sharada Reddy, an water sports enthusiast. Earlier the sea was dotted with only fishing boats but now slowly hobie catboats, sea kayaks are being seen and latest the surfboards.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Left jittery after Maoist threat
BY SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Mar 7: The CPI Maoists' allies in principle, the cadresof CPI and CPM in the district were whiplashed into action this week, by adevelopment not seen in nearly a decade after they received an ultimatumfrom CPI Maoist East Division Committee Secretary Jagadish. The EastDivision Committee comprises the extremists teams of East Godavari,Visakhapatnamm Vizianagaram and Srikakulam part of the Andhra OrissaBorder Zonal Committee (AOBZC ).The letter was a shock to the leftist leaders, who had been thought to bewell away from the Maoists' bite. The letter was addressed to CPI MLADemudu representing Chintapalli Agency assembly constituency, Koyyuru MPPB Ramarajyam and G K Veedhi Sarpanch K Balaram of CPM. The message wasclearly a chastisement to the leaders, accusing them of 'lackingdedication in the cause', and diluting essential principles that protectedthe people. A more dangerous accusation was that the leaders wereresponsible for the increase in surrenders that were taking place, andthat the movement was being diluted by the lack of their enthusiasm.In the comprehensive warning, two issues were raised by Jagadish - Bauxitemining and the not taking up agitations against the arrests of innocenttribals by the police branding them as sympathizers of naxals. Accordingto the letter, the local leaders had been sitting on the Bauxite issue fortoo long without proactive measures, while the government has been pilingon the necessary procedures towards the mining and the setting up ofaluminium refineries.In fact, the leaders themselves had admitted that the fight against mininghad been sidetracked by other issues for a spell. Jagadish claimed thatseveral local innocents were being held by police, and that the victimswere later branded sympathizers. He urged the Left to take up cudgelsagainst the police in this regard. Soon after the warnings the CPIdistrict unit under the aegis of the Chintapalli MLA Demudu laid siege theRDO office in Narsipatnam demanding the police to stop arresting innocenttribals branding them as naxal sympathizers. The Leftists are panic as theMaoists are on a killing spree since a few months.In just a period of three months the extremists killed 10 tribals for‘working’ in compliance with police and encouraging tribals. “It is truethat they have sent a warning asking us to take up issues seriously. Wewould definitely take up the bauxite issues and others seriously. This islike a jolt for us in recent times. Until now they have targeted andkilled only other political party leaders,” confessed a senior CPI leaderof Andhra. On the part of CPM they have launched a fresh series of ‘padayatras’ opposing the bauxite mining in the Agency areas on Monday.They vowed to intensify the agitation further in the coming days. Eightyears ago, CPI State council member Meka Suribabu, CPI District CommitteeMember K V Subbarao and CPI District Committee Member Nooki Naidu werekilled by Maoists at intervals of a year. The ghosts of these incidentshave begun to haunt those in power, and left activities have received astrong shot in the arm.
Visakhapatnam, Mar 7: The CPI Maoists' allies in principle, the cadresof CPI and CPM in the district were whiplashed into action this week, by adevelopment not seen in nearly a decade after they received an ultimatumfrom CPI Maoist East Division Committee Secretary Jagadish. The EastDivision Committee comprises the extremists teams of East Godavari,Visakhapatnamm Vizianagaram and Srikakulam part of the Andhra OrissaBorder Zonal Committee (AOBZC ).The letter was a shock to the leftist leaders, who had been thought to bewell away from the Maoists' bite. The letter was addressed to CPI MLADemudu representing Chintapalli Agency assembly constituency, Koyyuru MPPB Ramarajyam and G K Veedhi Sarpanch K Balaram of CPM. The message wasclearly a chastisement to the leaders, accusing them of 'lackingdedication in the cause', and diluting essential principles that protectedthe people. A more dangerous accusation was that the leaders wereresponsible for the increase in surrenders that were taking place, andthat the movement was being diluted by the lack of their enthusiasm.In the comprehensive warning, two issues were raised by Jagadish - Bauxitemining and the not taking up agitations against the arrests of innocenttribals by the police branding them as sympathizers of naxals. Accordingto the letter, the local leaders had been sitting on the Bauxite issue fortoo long without proactive measures, while the government has been pilingon the necessary procedures towards the mining and the setting up ofaluminium refineries.In fact, the leaders themselves had admitted that the fight against mininghad been sidetracked by other issues for a spell. Jagadish claimed thatseveral local innocents were being held by police, and that the victimswere later branded sympathizers. He urged the Left to take up cudgelsagainst the police in this regard. Soon after the warnings the CPIdistrict unit under the aegis of the Chintapalli MLA Demudu laid siege theRDO office in Narsipatnam demanding the police to stop arresting innocenttribals branding them as naxal sympathizers. The Leftists are panic as theMaoists are on a killing spree since a few months.In just a period of three months the extremists killed 10 tribals for‘working’ in compliance with police and encouraging tribals. “It is truethat they have sent a warning asking us to take up issues seriously. Wewould definitely take up the bauxite issues and others seriously. This islike a jolt for us in recent times. Until now they have targeted andkilled only other political party leaders,” confessed a senior CPI leaderof Andhra. On the part of CPM they have launched a fresh series of ‘padayatras’ opposing the bauxite mining in the Agency areas on Monday.They vowed to intensify the agitation further in the coming days. Eightyears ago, CPI State council member Meka Suribabu, CPI District CommitteeMember K V Subbarao and CPI District Committee Member Nooki Naidu werekilled by Maoists at intervals of a year. The ghosts of these incidentshave begun to haunt those in power, and left activities have received astrong shot in the arm.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sparrows die of poisoning
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 15: The chirping sounds of domestic sparrows and quaint scenes of a mother feeding her children by showing them these birds will soon vanish from the state, with these common birds fast disappearing, 75 per cent of them already gone in urban areas. A recent study conducted by city-based zoologists of Andhra University revealed that the depletion of sparrows is 75 percent in urban areas and 40 percent in rural areas in the past 15 years. These birds, which were seen in flocks earlier, are rarely seen nowadays. The prime reason for the disappearance of sparrows is shocking. According to Prof B Bharatha lakshmi of Zoology department in AU, the killer is not a vague concept like pollution and lack of trees, but cockroaches.
"Over-usage of powerful pesticides, insecticides and herbicides is causing the depletion in sparrow numbers," Lakshmi told this correspondent. According to her, these birds generally feed on small insects like dragon flies found in small grass patches and gardens and grains but these days due to lack of enough food sparrows started eating dead cockroaches that are thrown out by public in large numbers after killing them by powerful insecticides in the households. "Its an unusual phenomenon where sparrows started eating dead cockroaches. After eating these cockroaches that were killed by using powerful insecticides available in the market sparrows also started dieing," she said. These birds are also facing nesting problems due to the cities changing into concrete jungles. And in rural areas usage of modern technology of harvesting these birds are finding it difficult to get food.
The researcher also said that though there will not be any immediate affect due to the disappearance of these, the impact would hit the future, as each bird has its role in the eco system. "We can not just rule out the importance of these small birds. Importance of vultures was realized only after their number started declining and now government is taking measures to safeguard the existing vulture population. Our future generations will not be able to see sparrows which are very close to humans if something is not done to reverse the situation" she said. To halt the present situation greenery has to be encouraged and pesticides, insecticides and herbicides usage should be reduced. Bharatha Lakshmi with a group of students were studying the sparrows trend since 15 years. The research was conducted in various urban and rural places in Andhra Pradesh. She lamented that nothing has been taken up by the government even after the glaring decline of these sparrows issue was brought up in many national and international meets.
Visakhapatnam, Nov 15: The chirping sounds of domestic sparrows and quaint scenes of a mother feeding her children by showing them these birds will soon vanish from the state, with these common birds fast disappearing, 75 per cent of them already gone in urban areas. A recent study conducted by city-based zoologists of Andhra University revealed that the depletion of sparrows is 75 percent in urban areas and 40 percent in rural areas in the past 15 years. These birds, which were seen in flocks earlier, are rarely seen nowadays. The prime reason for the disappearance of sparrows is shocking. According to Prof B Bharatha lakshmi of Zoology department in AU, the killer is not a vague concept like pollution and lack of trees, but cockroaches.
"Over-usage of powerful pesticides, insecticides and herbicides is causing the depletion in sparrow numbers," Lakshmi told this correspondent. According to her, these birds generally feed on small insects like dragon flies found in small grass patches and gardens and grains but these days due to lack of enough food sparrows started eating dead cockroaches that are thrown out by public in large numbers after killing them by powerful insecticides in the households. "Its an unusual phenomenon where sparrows started eating dead cockroaches. After eating these cockroaches that were killed by using powerful insecticides available in the market sparrows also started dieing," she said. These birds are also facing nesting problems due to the cities changing into concrete jungles. And in rural areas usage of modern technology of harvesting these birds are finding it difficult to get food.
The researcher also said that though there will not be any immediate affect due to the disappearance of these, the impact would hit the future, as each bird has its role in the eco system. "We can not just rule out the importance of these small birds. Importance of vultures was realized only after their number started declining and now government is taking measures to safeguard the existing vulture population. Our future generations will not be able to see sparrows which are very close to humans if something is not done to reverse the situation" she said. To halt the present situation greenery has to be encouraged and pesticides, insecticides and herbicides usage should be reduced. Bharatha Lakshmi with a group of students were studying the sparrows trend since 15 years. The research was conducted in various urban and rural places in Andhra Pradesh. She lamented that nothing has been taken up by the government even after the glaring decline of these sparrows issue was brought up in many national and international meets.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
HIV+ form family for self-help
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Nov 12: Tired of fighting stigma from the society, around 200 HIV affected persons in the three districts of north Andhra –Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam decided that they would take care of themselves, by becoming a family. The HIV patients have formed a network among them and involving each other in their lives, be it to attend a celebration or to help one of them in need. They all gather at least once in a month and share their joys and sorrows. The patients even help each other in their last rituals. This initiative was taken up by the state nodal officer for control of aids, department of insured medical services Dr Phaninder Ketha who started "Positive Self Help Group" in the Employee State Insurance hospital in the industrial area of the city in 2005. "Being industrial workforce, most of them are prone to this dreaded disease because of their high-risk behaviour. We have formed a SHG in the hospital where industrial workers visit very frequently" says the doctor. In fact Vizag's ESI hospital is the only one in the entire state to have such a network to help and counsel the 'Positive' patients. Dr Phaninder, who earned a fellowship in HIV medicine from Christian Medical College in Raivellore, further says that the SHG was formed to give moral, psychological, social and emotional support. The patients eagerly wait for the seventh of every month, the day on which they meet. "I still remember those struggling days of mine. I was literally thrown out by my family members. I thought of ending my life before the disease killed me. But fortunately I came in contact with this group. Now I have some hope, to live happily for at least a few years. And I think these will be the most memorable moments in my life" said Nagaraju, 35, (name changed) who was getting treated for HIV positive since 3 years. Similar are the stories of all the members in the group. "Sometimes I feel lonely and gets tensed about my future but immediately there comes an invitation about some one or the other's birthday party and it's a real fun time for us" said another 40-year-old positive patient. Phaninder also said that regular meetings of these patients will infill some confidence among them and would help them regularly take their medicines and monitor their health condition. "Even the HIV patients have right to live in the society. Unfortunately we have this stigma in our system, which deprives these people of normal life. And this is what provided here to them. They will also take part in the funerals of other patients who die and they pretty well know that some day they would also die if medicines are not taken regularly and health monitored regularly" he said. The group also helps the positive people to get to earn their living also. There are some patients in the group who got jobs in the firms or places of the some well off persons who were also affected by the disease and part of the group. "I belong to Bihar and was with a private factory since a few years away from my family. After the co workers and my supervisors came to know about my disease they started avoiding me, which forced me to leave the job and when I came out there were none to offer me a job. I thought that's the end of life. But it was here where I got in contact with a person who helped me to get a job in one of his friends firm. Now I have some hope to live for some more time with out any hitches,” said the 38-year-old man from Patna..
Visakhapatnam, Nov 12: Tired of fighting stigma from the society, around 200 HIV affected persons in the three districts of north Andhra –Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam decided that they would take care of themselves, by becoming a family. The HIV patients have formed a network among them and involving each other in their lives, be it to attend a celebration or to help one of them in need. They all gather at least once in a month and share their joys and sorrows. The patients even help each other in their last rituals. This initiative was taken up by the state nodal officer for control of aids, department of insured medical services Dr Phaninder Ketha who started "Positive Self Help Group" in the Employee State Insurance hospital in the industrial area of the city in 2005. "Being industrial workforce, most of them are prone to this dreaded disease because of their high-risk behaviour. We have formed a SHG in the hospital where industrial workers visit very frequently" says the doctor. In fact Vizag's ESI hospital is the only one in the entire state to have such a network to help and counsel the 'Positive' patients. Dr Phaninder, who earned a fellowship in HIV medicine from Christian Medical College in Raivellore, further says that the SHG was formed to give moral, psychological, social and emotional support. The patients eagerly wait for the seventh of every month, the day on which they meet. "I still remember those struggling days of mine. I was literally thrown out by my family members. I thought of ending my life before the disease killed me. But fortunately I came in contact with this group. Now I have some hope, to live happily for at least a few years. And I think these will be the most memorable moments in my life" said Nagaraju, 35, (name changed) who was getting treated for HIV positive since 3 years. Similar are the stories of all the members in the group. "Sometimes I feel lonely and gets tensed about my future but immediately there comes an invitation about some one or the other's birthday party and it's a real fun time for us" said another 40-year-old positive patient. Phaninder also said that regular meetings of these patients will infill some confidence among them and would help them regularly take their medicines and monitor their health condition. "Even the HIV patients have right to live in the society. Unfortunately we have this stigma in our system, which deprives these people of normal life. And this is what provided here to them. They will also take part in the funerals of other patients who die and they pretty well know that some day they would also die if medicines are not taken regularly and health monitored regularly" he said. The group also helps the positive people to get to earn their living also. There are some patients in the group who got jobs in the firms or places of the some well off persons who were also affected by the disease and part of the group. "I belong to Bihar and was with a private factory since a few years away from my family. After the co workers and my supervisors came to know about my disease they started avoiding me, which forced me to leave the job and when I came out there were none to offer me a job. I thought that's the end of life. But it was here where I got in contact with a person who helped me to get a job in one of his friends firm. Now I have some hope to live for some more time with out any hitches,” said the 38-year-old man from Patna..
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Tradition - Homam to save innocents
By SNV Sudhir
Visakhapatnam, Sep 23: When floods and fires struck, the ancients used to invoke the Gods for help.
Though times have changed, the basic impulse of the vast majority of humankind is still the same.
This was in evidence at the nine-day fire ritual held here to protect innocents from natural disasters, where the most powerful Vedic hymns were invoked.
It was Satguru Kandukuri Sivananda Murthy of Anandavanam who took the initiative to hold the Maharudra Homam at Bheemunipatnam, 30 km away from the city.
He decided to hold the homam after several astrologers, in their annual predictions before the Ugadi festival, warned of disasters and loss of life. Some of them even warned that carnages of unexpected scales may occur.
All this has created fear in the minds of the devout and the homam was meant to provide the assurance that the blessings of heaven were with them.
"What power does the common man have against such disasters?" asked the Satguru. "Only the power of prayer."
According to him, it was foolish to pray for individual well-being. One's safety is intimately connected with that of society.
"The greatest prayer, therefore, is to ask for the well-being of all," he added.
At an individual level, a person should ideally pray for the protection of the dharma within. "If the dharma in each person is protected, the dharma of society is intact," he said. In all, 11 Ritviks (fire priests) including the Satguru took part in the homam in which the Rudram hymn was chanted thrice during each rite, three times a day, while oblations were offered to the sacred fire.
When this was repeated for nine days, the cycle of the homam was completed.
Interestingly, no one was invited for the ritual. According to tradition, the news of the ritual should spread by word of mouth and people should come on their own. This is exactly what happened.
Thousands of people attended the homam and they were all given sumptuous meals. In the evenings, pravachanams or discourses on the holy texts were conducted.
Here too, the Satguru focused on the Rudram hymn, which made the ritual more meaningful for people.
During the Purnahuti, the culmination of the ritual, thousands gathered at the mango grove where the homam was performed.
As the mantras touched a crescendo, the Ritwiks appealed to the deity to shower grace upon the innocents threatened by the onslaught of evil. "Every individual who lives in society must contribute for the cause of general welfare," said the Satguru. "This is our message."
Visakhapatnam, Sep 23: When floods and fires struck, the ancients used to invoke the Gods for help.
Though times have changed, the basic impulse of the vast majority of humankind is still the same.
This was in evidence at the nine-day fire ritual held here to protect innocents from natural disasters, where the most powerful Vedic hymns were invoked.
It was Satguru Kandukuri Sivananda Murthy of Anandavanam who took the initiative to hold the Maharudra Homam at Bheemunipatnam, 30 km away from the city.
He decided to hold the homam after several astrologers, in their annual predictions before the Ugadi festival, warned of disasters and loss of life. Some of them even warned that carnages of unexpected scales may occur.
All this has created fear in the minds of the devout and the homam was meant to provide the assurance that the blessings of heaven were with them.
"What power does the common man have against such disasters?" asked the Satguru. "Only the power of prayer."
According to him, it was foolish to pray for individual well-being. One's safety is intimately connected with that of society.
"The greatest prayer, therefore, is to ask for the well-being of all," he added.
At an individual level, a person should ideally pray for the protection of the dharma within. "If the dharma in each person is protected, the dharma of society is intact," he said. In all, 11 Ritviks (fire priests) including the Satguru took part in the homam in which the Rudram hymn was chanted thrice during each rite, three times a day, while oblations were offered to the sacred fire.
When this was repeated for nine days, the cycle of the homam was completed.
Interestingly, no one was invited for the ritual. According to tradition, the news of the ritual should spread by word of mouth and people should come on their own. This is exactly what happened.
Thousands of people attended the homam and they were all given sumptuous meals. In the evenings, pravachanams or discourses on the holy texts were conducted.
Here too, the Satguru focused on the Rudram hymn, which made the ritual more meaningful for people.
During the Purnahuti, the culmination of the ritual, thousands gathered at the mango grove where the homam was performed.
As the mantras touched a crescendo, the Ritwiks appealed to the deity to shower grace upon the innocents threatened by the onslaught of evil. "Every individual who lives in society must contribute for the cause of general welfare," said the Satguru. "This is our message."
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