I cannot imagine a world without Wikipedia!

It helps me know a lot!
It is my `pedaraasi peddamma' - a mythical old woman knowledgeable in everything and willingly helps people (usually the prince in the folk tales) by sharing knowledge and information.

A proud moment

It was indeed a proud moment for me when I received the packets of `hope', the cluster bean and lady's finger seeds from none other than Shri Ch. Sreerama Murthy, the owner of Kurnool-based Sri Rama Seeds Corporation. This ever enthusiastic and entrepreneurial farmer oozes confidence and readiness to try new things.

Is there any one to try `farming' at least after seeing `Real' people like Sreerama Murthy?!! I still remember the film `nuvvistanante nenoddantaana'. Films are not only for entertainment! They are for inspiration as well!!

When we visualize a farmer we would probably see something like this!


But, I and I am sure many others would like to see a farmer like this.



Mainstreaming agriculture!! Agriculture as a `CULTURE', as a lifestyle.

Natural ionizers

...Salt Crystal Lamps


Salt crystal lamps release healthy negative ions from the surface as the lit bulb warms up the salt lamp, to cleanse and improve the quality and freshness of the air.
Our surroundings are dominated by the technology of so called 'conveniences' of computers, televisions, copy machines, printers, microwave ovens, air conditioners etc. These conveniences emit excessive amounts of positive ions into the air we breath, which can result in mental and physical exhaustion. Placing a salt crystal lamp near our computer helps to reduce fatigue and electromagnetic pollution created by all such equipment.

I read about these lamps in `eenadu' and had put this information together after some research on internet. In the wake of climatic change problems, we better turn to such solutions. `satakoti daridraalaki anantakoti upaayaalu'!!

I always think of the most eco-friendly way of celebrating a birthday, if not a wedding ...but a wedding anniversary could be. These lamps are an ecofriendly alternative for the usual gifts. It would be even more ideal ... when we want to say to someone..`get well soon'!

sayonara...Gudrun!

We miss you!

No one can ever fell a tree ... if they see this

I made time to post this at 5 a.m. or else I may lose track of it. It is still in the corner of my mind to hunt for THAT favorite cartoon of mine, the tree angrily uprooting a sky scraper in a mood of revenge. That was very hilarious. But this one is very heavy ...bleeding!


I found this picture and link at http://waffleanddaub.wordpress.com/:
The 2008 Ken Sprague Fund’s annual political cartoon competition was on the theme of of global warning and our threatened environment. This cartoon was one of the prize-winning entries, drawn by Tawan Chuntraskawvong of Thailand.

More pictures at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2008/jul/23/climatechange.scienceofclimatechange?picture=335854762

Patriotism Resuscitated

`Atithi Devo Bhava' ...India could manage to send at least some of her guests back safely. India will now be remembered for terrorist attacks ... we can no longer invite any foreigner to our country nor we can take them around here confidently.

It is high time that all of us unite and take responsibility of our own land instead of leaving it in the hands of politicians. We were engaged in selfish pursuits. Teaching values became out of context. Talking about patriotism became out of fashion. What has all this resulted in? Lack of seriousness! Apathy!!

Youngsters are whiling away time in entertainment and wasteful indulgences. Middle aged people are weak and more sick than the old. All sorts of problems are falling upon us. Natural disasters, road accidents and terrorist attacks are threatening our lives. `Living' has become even more threatening.

Transformation is imperative. Let us all take up the onerous responsibility of inspiring the young generation to plunge into action. Instill a spirit of heroism. It has nothing to do about academics or degrees. To save people around, one needn't be a police officer clearing all the competitive exams.

Preparedness, attitude and some amount of training are required. We may not be able to stop or avoid destruction, but we may face situations with courage.

November ...too eventful

...to post something. There were too many things and too less time. Ms. Gudrun's visit to ICRISAT, together working on terms and concepts adding more and more to the already long list of bookmarks. They are by no means just`book marks'. They are `foot prints' to follow. Working with her was a wonderful experience. I particularly liked her style of working. I can't help it! I talk only about her these days and it has become a household name and everyone around me know her by name, including my friends and my daughter's friends, for she too had the chance to spend a day with her when we took Ms.Gudrun to Birla mandir (temple), Kala mandir(shopping mall, Shanbag (Hotel) and Mangatrai (THE pearls shop - my favorite places. (AGROVOC habits die hard! I couldn't resist adding those qualifiers, especially when Birla Mandir and Kala Mandir sounded similar when placed side by side.

Coming back to working with Ms. Gudrun...It is really wonderful. Just how it used to be ... years back while working with Prasannalakshmi and Dr.Nwanze on Busseola fusca project.

The Award Winning Woman Farmer

For the last couple of days, I was contemplating how I would celebrate Dussera this year. Eureka! What else would be more apt than featuring a successful woman farmer to mark the occasion of Vijayadasami (The Tenth day of victory) and worshipping Goddess Durga (embodiment of feminine and creative energy)!

By the time Karra Sakuntala was awarded the States Best Woman Farmer Award, she had only one year of experience in Agriculture. She resigned her government job as a Teacher and started working on thier 20-acre farm. She has a vermicompost unit and conducts awareness programmes at her own cost to other farmers in aspects of sweet lime cultivation. She headed the District Sweet lime Growers association and was also awarded by several agencies. She says that she is not interested in wasting her time applying for bank loans.

Following is the newsclipping from Eenadu Tuesday Oct. 7 2008

The plant which drives snakes away

While I was fancying the idea of living in an arboretum, becoming one with nature spiritually (but sharing knowledge in the real world scenario) ... hisssss `snakes' jolted me to the ground reality. However, I was trying to make a case in favour of my arboretum lifestyle, convincing myself, that if at all one has to die, dying of a snake-bite is far more eco-friendly and non-violent than getting crushed in a road accident.

In the meanwhile, when my son was narrating the beautiful monsoon landscape of Karimnagar I was very happy that he started admiring the outside world, with his head turned from computer monitors and TV screens. Although the fear of snakes was lurking inside, I tried to remain silent till he himself mentioned about `snakes' during one of those landscape description sessions over the cell phone. He coming face to face (feet to face!) with a snake threw chills over my spine and I promptly asked him to stop going to that place.

As it usually happens with most teenagers, he comforted me that his friend has planted `some tella usiri ' plant in and around his house and it is quite safe being there. That gave me a clue and in my Internet search I found a news story in Hindu paper describing its use in Adilabad area. Thanks to that news item as it also gave the scientific name of the so called snake repellent plant.

It is Trifolium repens. Now I have the key to the worlds knowledge of this plant. This is the power of the `binomial classification' coupled with today's communication technology.

Use of this plant against snakes is not overwhelmingly reported, although it is mentioned on a few occasions. The plant is also associated with bees. . . Also ..with L.U.C.K. It is lucky to find one with a fourth leaf... I didn't share this nugget of information with my son.. for obvious safety reasons.
(The plants my son saw were said to be more bushy and big-sized than those seen in the Trifolium repens pictures on the net. Could it be a different species or subspecies.. or just a geographical variation?)

Ref. Many lives lost due to snakebites S. Harpal Singh
Lack of awareness in rural societies believed to be reason for the fatalities
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/01/02/stories/2008010257090300.htm

More about the luck aspect at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-four-leaf-clover.htm

Prickly pear is edible!

Yes. If not for humans, it is so for cattle. But the fruit of course is edible. Recently I read about this particular kind of Opuntia which is thornless. To my delight, I found this plant standing green and healthy in the Dharma Vana Arboretum nursery and I believe that this plant has great potential in providing nutrition security to semi-arid regions as it can sustain cattle. I found a lot of literature on the possibility of using this plant as a livestock feed while looking for a suitable photograph to accompany this post.


The above photograph is from the blogspot, (http://mesilla.blogspot.com/2007/04/spineless-cactus.html) which gave a very nice account of the plant and also Luther Burbank, "The Plant Wizard." Burbank was born in 1849 and had no schooling beyond 6th grade, but he did have an intense fascination with plant breeding. He is credited with creating over 800 strains and varieties of plants, including the "impossible" plumcot, which he called "a cross which man said could never be made."

Mr. William Frederick Durr all set to plant his dream

My visit to the Dharma Vana Arboretum Nursery, turned out to be a memorable experience, with Mr. William Frederick Durr, Director of the Arboretum taking us around and showing us various interesting plants with utmost patience and passion. The nursery itself looked like an arboretum as he is preparing to plant over 400 acres of land earmarked for an arboretum devoted to semi-arid tree species.

We were first greeted by heaps (hillocks) of compost derived from coconut shells and we felt very happy to see coconut waste being utilized productively. Our attachment to coconuts stems from the fact that we hail from Godavari district famous for coconut plantations. Coconuts are `currency' for us. We saw several kinds of several plants. We saw bamboos planted color after color making a sort of `tunnel'. Lotus and water lillies are grown in cement rings placed in a water tank. Each variety is planted in a ring to maintain isolation. Already there are white, yellow and purple ones. It would be a marvelous sight when the entire tank is filled with colorful lillies in circles.

Dr. Durr scouts mountains and valleys for the `lost species'. He rediscovered several species that are once declared to be extinct and saved them from real extinction. His mission is indeed a great and timely effort in the wake of people talking about `climatic change' and species extinction.

My Arboretum ideas

My Arboretum Ideas

From: sugunasrimaddala, 5 minutes ago

My Arboretum Ideas

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: services sharing)

SlideShare Link

My Arboretum ideas

The thought of my visit to Dharma Vana Arboretum has spurred some new ideas with respect to knowledge building and sharing as well as mainstreaming of trees.

The new avatar ... of Teaching

When I saw my daughter prepare Teacher day greeting cards, I just discovered that the day doesn't relate to me in any way as my days with teachers seemed to be a very distant past. I didn't take `Teaching' as my profession either. I don't teach my children either (they are not teachable?!). So, I rather try to `Inspire' than to `Instruct'.

I had put an end to my contemplation with a deep sigh and continued with my duties. And at the end of the day, `The Teachers Day' did relate to me - when my boss asked me to prepare a quick ppt based on-line turorial to train the new team members of the project we are working 0n.

My news- Radio down to earth

Surge in FM use came after mobiles began to provide radio facilities

Narender pulloor 2008 Deccan chronicle August Wednesday 6th p. 2.
AIR introduced an exclusive programme for farmers named - Kisan vani - sponsored my Ministry of Agriculture with the assistance of ...
7.15 top.m. to 8.15 pm.

News bulletins, Phone-in programmes, quiz, weather reports, market rates and interviews of progressive farmers

Telangana dialect

Regional Sugarcane institute and Rice research station of Rudrur in Varni mandal interact with farmers through FM radio.

Mr. L. Jalapathi Rao - Senior agricultural scientist

Mass media wing of the agriculture department is provoding training to FM radio personnel

Quiz programmes and gifts to winners.

`Praja Rajyam' swells!

The results count for `Praja rajyam' increased to 28,700 in about just 24 hrs!

Praja rajyam - Preme Lakshyam, Seve Margam - Tag line

To me, the Tag line Preme Lakshyam, Seve Margam [ love is the goal, service is the path], is half disappointing and half convincing. More than convincing. `Seve margam' is very apt! Succinctly describes his `blood donation' campaign and also reflects Mother Theresa's approach, on whose birthday he announced the party's name.

It should have been `Pragate Lakshyam' (The goal is development' and the next component is perfect!

Phenomenally overwhelming!

My goodness! 6,840 results for `praja rajyam' google search! 425 blog posts! It is not even 30 hrs that the word is known to public. I was late by about 30 hrs, although I grabbed the earliest possible opportunity to share Chiranjeevi's photo, sorry Painting. Nevertheless, this exercise helps me gain the pulse of public and how they use ICTs to communicate and respond. This insight helps me to fine tune agricultural ICT programmes.

Three, Two and One! The party name is ... Praja Rajyam

Everyone around me was counting days, and then got glued to Television on the evening of 26th. Excitement and suspense were in the air and more so for Chiranjeevi's fans! My thought went to my classmate who was a die hard Chiru fan and challenged me once to paint his picture on the cover of a weekly in her hand, while I was busy painting the pests affecting sugarcane crop. We used to display information on crops and pests in the village, during our RAWE (Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme) programme.

And the party name is 'Praja Rajyam '. More details available on net.



From that day onwards, portrait painting has become a handy way of expressing my concerns and/or contribution to any event.
(This is the portrait of DR. S.R. Ranganathan, considered to be the Father of Library Science', whose books we used to like more than novels. His ideas were so contemporary - or rather timeless - that they hold good for times to come.
I believe that Semantic Technologies find a way to march forward with his clue of PMEST - Personality, Matter, Energy, Space and Time.

Urban meets Rural!

ISRO facilitated Video conferencing between ICRISAT and AMS for DD national video recording program on 11^th July, 2008. The VC started at 11 am on 11^th July, 2008. The concept of Drought vulnerability maps was explained to the farmers of AMS by Ms. Priyanka. Farmers were encouraged to speak about the prevailing drought conditions and the measures they are undertaking to combat drought. Ms. Supriya explained the Vermicomposting procedure to the farmers.


Participants discussed the growing concern for issues relating to `drought', `climatic change' and `global warming'. It was felt that drought is not just the problem of farmers any more and that even urban people have to pay a price for it. Farmers are suggested to take up non-farm income-generation activities in order to supplement their income during the periods of crop-failure as well as to invest in infrastructural facilities like drip-irrigation. Urban people need to be encouraged to buy these products to support the cause.

The session went on well particularly because of the interactive elements included. Farmers solved the Think-out-side the box puzzle! The puzzle itself was introduced slowly building suspense and was first given in a more familar Rangoli (a pattern drawn on the floor/ground comnnecting dots) format. However, they couldn't recognize Mickey mouse - world's most recognized symbol. Probably the younger generation would have recognized it.

Plant introduction - Talinum goes places

I always wonder why I don't find Talinum in Telangana and Rayalseema areas of Andhra Pradesh. Of course I do find this plant occasionally even in these regions, but only in my relatives places who hail from Andhra region.

I strongly believe that this plant has an answer for nutrition security in semi-arid regions as it is highly resistant to drought. The plant thrives well in wet areas but it survives most harsh environments. We are very much attached to it and I managed to have this plant even when I had a very limited growing space.

But when I once had to part with all my plants, I have given all my plants along with the containers to my friends. I have given them for adoption to those who can look after them better than me. But I threw a couple of broken pots containing a few Talinum plants on to the ground from the fourth floor balcony as if I was trying to break my attachment towards them.

An year later, when I was standing in the balcony and looking down at the weeds that germinated after the first showers, I SAW them. I cannot mistake them, bright green oblong succulent leaves of Talinum. They survived the long and hot summer months without a drop of water! They came back to life even though I threw them ruthlessly!!

That moment, I decided to work towards popularizing this plant. I was very happy to see that this plant is listed in Plants for a future database and several others. I was also very much delighted to see this plant finding the first place in my sisters garden, who returned to India and wanted to recreate the domestic garden of our childhood times in the ultra modern Hitech city.



When I was informed that I was to go to Adakkal, this plant came to my mind, and I preferred to carry a Talinum plant in a designer pot instead of my lap top. I collected this plant from one of my friends who adopted my plants a couple of years back.
The plant was well received by Adakkal farmers and I was very much pleased with their reaction. Even if that particular plant dies, the idea or notion of such a plant has taken roots in that area. I will take every opportunity to collect and distribute more such specimens. I wish my future assignment could be popularizing underutilized plants like this. For that matter I like to see all plants listed in the Plants for a future database find a place in a biodiversity park exclusive to such species and promote ecotourism so that entire world (is it too ambitious? Its just a wish! Target population is that. Its O.K.) to know and grow them!!

Alumini meet unexpextedly

While I was still thinking of and planning our Alumini meet at Tirupati, the Alumini meet of the students of all batches of S.V. College of Agriculture came as a pleasant surprise that too without much waiting because it happened on the very same weekend.

We were invited to come along with families and my instant reaction was to take my sister as she was the one who shared my days at that college along with the larvae I was rearing during that time. Finally I went there with my daughter along with Madhavi's family.

The meeting was held in the beautiful Kidwai cottage. The place is far from pollution, unusual serenity brought by age old trees and lotus filled ponds. Although the rest of the things were as expected, introductions, conversations it was thrilling to see how each of us have aged.

Children ...Children...

A view at my blog after posting my messages revealed all children photographs. I asked myself! Why do children figure more on my blog? Do I like children that much? Honestly, No! Then ..?!
Uhm! I too like what children like!!

Global warming song goes places!

To my delight global warming song gets good response! May be because of the theme which is a thrust area now. Dr. Padmaja of ICRISAT got the idea to get the summer camp children sing the song during their valedictory function, when I casually mentioned that I had set a parody song to the tune of `gallo telipotonde' song. The song was being played in the staff bus that time.

When the idea was put forth, children liked it instantaneously. They readily and confidently agreed that they would also come up with an accompanying power point presentation. Although I couldn't make time to attend the function, I now have a few photographs.




Sakti, the NGO with which I was associated earlier, also liked the song and are planning to include it in their Climatic change awareness sessions in rural areas.

Dharitree Dinotsavam - Earthday 2008 at ANGRAU, Hyderabad

Children participated with enthusiasm in the painting competitions held at the ANGRAU Auditorium during Earth Day Celebrations by the Agromet Division of the University. The atmosphere was filled with excitement incited by the Tare Zameen par Phenomena.


Even the senior scientists from different departments and research centers who gathered to address children looked very much excited and seemed to have been gripped by the nostalgic memories of their own childhood.


In spite of a formal stage setting, an unusually informal and cheerful atmosphere prevailed.

Each painting was looked into by the members on the stage, as if they were trying to figure out what the younger generation is trying to convey; the ideas are discussed and the participants are encouraged.

I chanced to witness this charming event when my class mate and friend, Dr. Madhavi invited me to take part in the event. She is now a Senior Scientist at ANGRAU and has been entrusted the responsibility of organizing this event by Dr. Raji Reddy, Head, Agromet Division.

My contribution to the event was the Earth day Song - a parody song with the `gallo telipotonde' tune of Jalsa movie.

Global warming Puzzle

Looks like that `Climatic change and Global warming' are the new buzz words of this decade. It used to be `Sustainability' and `organic agriculture' a couple of decades ago. But this time the concept is gaining momentum and is taking the shape of a revolution possibly because of its applicability to the world at large and increased awareness made possible by enhanced communication technology. Its bearing on the `fuel sector' is probably the major driving force for driving many-a-player into the arena.


Although my role in the big picture is minimal, my own way of doing things has some significant contribution in inspiring the younger generation and spreading the awareness. On the menu are my usual two items - Cross word puzzle and a Parody song. The parody song is set to the tune of `Gallo telipotonde' song from Jalsa and was first presented at ANGRAU during the Earth day celebrations. The same song was developed by the participants of the summer camp by adding an accompanying power point presentation. SAKTI is also planning to include the puzzle and parody songs in their Climatic change awareness programmes.

My First Creations on Fashion maker

My first creation is to Lord Sai Baba who helped me to rediscover myself. It suited him very well! My next one was for my doll's doll.






Then the dupatta converted Curtain!


With these few things I handed over my spirit to Baby Vandana and her creations will be seen here soon!

Finally I made up my mind!

At last I ended up having a `Fashion maker'. I always wanted to have it but was not sure if I could make optimum use of it. But now `Tailors' have become so much `sought after' and won't be available for me, WHEN I need and more so for THINGS I need! - For converting discarded pieces of cloth into something useful/fanciful. Suddenly I might need some stitching to be done for my fancy dress or puppet show preparations. Then Tailors don't come to my rescue.

Pay THAT MUCH money for these PETTY things! Well, passion and joy cannot me measured in terms of money!!

ఎన్నో తెలుగు వెబ్ సైట్లు - అన్నిటికీ వందనాలు

ఇంటర్నెట్లో తెలుగు చాలా ఎదిగిపోయింది. అప్పుడే పట్ట శక్యం కావట్లేదు.
వీటిలో రైతులడుగు పెట్టి పంటలు పండించే కాలం ఎప్పుడో !
రైతులేంటీ .. . ఇంటర్నెట్ ఏంటీ అనుకుంటున్నారా!
కారెవరూ ఇంటర్నెట్ కి అనర్హం!!