TRADITION ENVIRONMENT FLAVOUR BUSINESS NEWS

VOL 4 ISSUE 6, DEC 31, 2010, The Nilgiris District, S India.

“A hundred times every day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on thelabours of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the

same measure as I have received.” - Albert Einstein

The Local is an online edition bringing news and views on the Nilgiris district.Published on behalf of The Local Media Publishing Co,. by Edwin David from 10/363-Y-1, Indiranagar; Avk Post, The Nilgiris. Editor: Edwin David

N Mohanraj, Conservationist, Pamela Clarke Educator, Nagaraj, Volunteer-Animal Welfare, S Vasanthakumari,Counsellor - Domestic Violence, N Manigundan, Counsellor - HIV/AIDS, D Venkataraman, RTO - Road safety,Ayesha Zackariah - Social Welfare, KJ Raju, Social Activist, T Mohandas, Social worker, Latha Jebakumar - SocialWelfare, J K Mohankumar - Community farming, Lathika Rao, Counsellor-Special Education, Inspector S Velumani,Special Branch - Intelligence, Dr Sheela Nambiar - Women’s Healthcare, T Narasimhan, RTI Activist, MuralidharRao - Social Welfare, G Venugopal,Basketball coach - Sports,R Swaminathan, Special Officer, Pandalur IndcoFactory -Tea, Rajiv Srivastava I.F.S - Wildlife Conservation, Dr Valsa Koshy, Clinical Psychiatrist - Mental Health, SAmaiyyappan, Chief Education Officer, Dr Ilona Otter, Veterinary Surgeon - Animal Welfare, Dr Christudas andJennifer-Bunshaw-Christudas - Social welfare, Dr B Suresh, Educationist, Deputy Supdt of Police, N Dharmaraj -Law & Order, Dr HO Bulchand - Social Welfare, Mala Ramaswamy, Volunteer - Special Education, Vanya Orr -Community farming, Suresh Belliraj - Education, Rebecca Parkes - Women’s Welfare, Indra Koitra - Social Welfare,Srimathi Sridhar, Volunteer - Special Education, Marie Marcel Thaekekara - Social Welfare, Ron Atkin - SocialWelfare, Geetha Srinivasan - Social Activist, N Parameshwari, Social Worker - HIV/AIDS, Dr V Balasubramaniam- Community healthcare, Prof. Rose N Pereira - Education, Dr Sridevi Ramachandran - Women’s Healthcare . . .

Heritage Inn has been at the forefront ofthe hospitality sector - redefining thebusiness hotel experience - in the region,since 1994.

‘One of our oldest clients is TCS (TataConsulting Services) with whom we share alongstanding relationship, one that goesbeyond corporate discounts or locationaladvantage,’ states K Ramachandran, AsstGeneral Manager of this compact businesshotel in the heart of Coimbatore city. ‘Abusiness traveller expects promptness, akeen understanding of his or herrequirements and most importantly,courteous interaction from the staff.’

Heritage Inn has, for over 15 years,constantly worked on improving theexperience, ‘the touch points’. ‘Even whensomeone is on the phone talking with theguest, others around ensure that theenvironment is undisturbed, the employeegetting to diligently record the customer’srequests,’ the manager explains, adding‘we have consistently invested in ongoingtraining, both internal and external, inorder to deliver the best one-to-oneexperience that our customers can get fromthe staff.’

Managing Director, Rtn J Ravi believes, ‘Itis people who make the difference. Nomatter, the best of luxuries and comforts(Heritage Inn’s facilities are perceived as 4star) our edge, we realised very early on,was service.’

Heritage Inn has 63 centrally air conditionedrooms. Guests are served a complimentarybreakfast. The hotel has a conference hallto seat 35 delegates, a banquet hall toaccomodate 100 guests and a businesscentre called Summit for 10 members.

24 hr room service, broadband internetconnectivity, a well equipped bar, two largerestaurants, including one at the roof topand personalised attention, make this hotela business traveller’s delight.

A hotel that makes the difference.

Heritage Inn is situated 12 kms from the Coimbatore airport and is 2 kms from the Coimbatore city railway station. The hotel is within walking distance from main business and shopping centres in the city.

‘People makethe difference.’

Hotel Heritage Inn, Sivasamy Rd,Ramnagar, Coimbatore, S India- 641 009.Ph: 0422 - 2230011/ 2239200 / 2231451

www.hotelheritageinn.in

Letters of appreciation(above). (Pic right)Directors, Rtn. J Ravi & BhanumathiRavi, J Suresh Babu & Shakila Suresh - the family that manages the enterprise

Hospitality first

3 decades of Warehousing

MAS Warehousers Private Limited, Kotagiri Road, Bandishola; Coonoor, Nilgiris

MASWarehousers

snapshot

In the course of our opinion poll, on PEOPLE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN2010, we came across several, working in different spheres - domesticviolence, HIV/AIDS, education, special education, healthcare, mental illness,waste management, the environment, we also found them in governmentdepartments such as the police, road transport, forestry, education andhealth.

All the individuals, those featured in the list on the cover page and some ofthem, whom we decided to focus on in the cover story, have gone the extramile this year, having put in that much more to make our lives and the livesof those around us - our co-species included - better, safer, happier andmore meaningful.

Equally, there are features on enterprises that you will find interesting toread. These enterprises are driven by people who thought a little beyondthe usual - the hospital, the retailer, the artists, the teacher, an adman, aweb developer, a business hotel, a property developer, even a school - allinspiring stories.

These spirited souls inspire us enough to reflect inward. They inspire us todo something ourselves, and leave a mark.

May this year ahead of us be an inspired one - by hope, courage and sensitivityto one another. Let us believe that if its got to be, then its got to be uptome. I can make the difference, in whatever I do. As the young school boysays, ‘I don’t have to be a Prime Minister to make a difference.’ Ed/-

editorial

It’s our turn.

An awe inspiring view: Emerald, enrouteAvalanche about 12 km from Ooty, via Fernhill.

If the person living with HIV hasn't arrived at the Anti-retroviral Treatment (ART)Centre at the Government Hospital, Ooty, a phone call will go out from its counsellor,

anxious to know why the individual hasn't turned up? (there is a highprobability that the person diagnosed with the condition, may never

return for reasons that are varied). ‘The news is traumatic and itgreatly depresses the individual,' says the G H counsellor, NManigundan. ‘It is important to be observant of the person’sinhibitions and keenly empathise with the concerns, especially duringthe first visit as alienation in society and within the family slowly

creeps in and discrimination at treatment centres become stark.’ AHIV+ person is allegedly kept at a 'safe' distance, something that nearly

everyone at the recent grievance redressal forum conducted for people livingwith HIV, at Ooty, had complained of. Speaking of this man who is making the difference,N Parameshwari, a HIV counsellor herself, with several years of experience, states, ‘ TheART counsellor is liked by everyone. He makes each one feel as if he or she is his ownfamily member.’ 'Our role is to give hope to the individual, hope and timely medicine,’says Manigundan. But prevention, for this committed government employee, is his

greater concern - 'We must discourage irresponsible behaviour. The numberof new occurrences of HIV must be brought to nil.' He is right, because

the number of cases in the Nilgiris is on the rise. There is, indeed, acrying need for awareness campaigns across sections of society, onewith a hands-on approach that goes beyond the annual processionon World Aids Day.One local, a resident of Kairbetta, near Kotagiri, is hands-on with

his drive against alcoholism, which he has been quietly going aboutfor over a decade. This school teacher, K J Raju, in his most recent

campaign, in September, earlier this year, encouraged 30 youngsters totake a pledge not to touch liquor. Even during festivities. ‘Too many are being ensnaredinto this habit. Its not good for our youth to be enslaved by alcoholism.’ His point is notto be ignored. The root of much of the problems that local society faces today, findsmanifestation in this addiction. Domestic violence is one. By November 2010, thenumber of domestic incident reports filed in the Nilgiris, had crossed 100 with a troublingmajority of the cases, attributed to alcohol-related violence against women. Oneindividual’s resolve, in trying to provide a place for distraught women at the receiving

end of an alcoholic, is commendable. The short-stay home she manages atOoty has been home to several hundreds. Food, shelter and security is

what the abused women - hailing from all walks of life - are gratefulto her for. Counselling too. ‘We would rather not have the familyseparated due to a legal process, which is the easier way out. Andthis time away from home has a healing effect,’ says the senior lady.However, some do return and they are welcomed unconditionallyby this quiet social worker, S Vasanthakumari who will try to provide

the healing touch yet again, before resorting to legal measures withthe help of the District Protection Officer and the police. ‘She is like

my mother’, says one inmate, tearfully...•...‘The school teacher’s advice to the group of youngsters in our village, was clear -abstain from trying out even the first glass of liquor, convincing them that they weremade out for better things and encouraging them to worship their work instead,’ saysShri A Kumar, who is the temple priest at Allakarai village, near Coonoor. The resoluteyouth have now, of their own accord, gone to neighbouring villages and secured pledgesfrom others like them, to abstain from or give up alcohol and get to work. ‘Don’t be idle.’

Unemployment is dangerous. In a majority of the recent burglaries, both in Coonoor and Ooty, thesuspects, according to investigating agencies, were youth. Unemployed youth are not just a threatto any society, they are also a burden. One woman has understood this more than most of us. Shehas helped turn around an entire colony, long considered a crime bed and a slum-like locality inOoty, giving its youth education and providing them a means to employment. This quiet, unassuming

English teacher-reformist, Ayesha Zackaraiah, embarked on her social obligation more than adecade ago. Today, this far sighted local funds and facilitates high school education for hundred

young children in Ooty. They study at St Joseph’s Boy’s School and Bethelehem Convent. Her greatestcontribution over the years goes beyond. The senior lady has introduced religious studies and good moral values for theseyoung minds. ‘Unless one understands one’s own religious tenets correctly, how will one appreciate others? We neededucation, but we also need tolerance and harmony.’ Its not hard to see the difference that she’s making.There are others working with young children too. 2611 plastic bottles - strewn carelessly near picnic spot Lambs Rock- were salvaged by 24 enthusiastic school students of Guernsey, Coonoor. Their ‘Anna’ has to be credited for this. J KMohankumar works with Earth Trust, the organic farming NGO and spearheads the successful ecoclub initiative in

Cover story

contd on pg 10

‘Too many are beingensnared into thishabit. Its not goodfor our youth tobe enslaved byalcoholism.’- KJ Raju, SocialActivist.

‘It is important tobe observant of theperson’s inhibitionsand keenly empathisewith the concerns,especially during thefirst visit to the ART’- NManigundan, HIVCounsellor.

‘We would rathernot have the familyseparated due to alegal process, whichis the easier way out....And, this time awayfrom home has ahealing effect.’S Vasanthakumari,Counsellor,Domestic Violence.

They madea differencein 2010

A knee replacement surgery is not a simple procedure. Itrequires experienced surgeons. It also requires a highlysterile environment, a well equipped, 100% sterileoperating theatre. Not to mention skilled support staff,both pre-operative and post operative nursing care andthe like.When Nankem Hospital conducted the first suchprocedure - knee replacement for an elderly gent fromCoonoor - earlier this year and followed it up by more,not many knew about this - a major breakthrough in thehealthcare scenario, locally.Indeed the story of this over three-decades old medicalinstitution is not entirely known to all - even those whomay be closely associated with its entrepreneurial coupleDr. NK Chandrashekar and Dr. Anusuya Chandrashekar.‘I have always believed that it is the responsibility of anymedical institution to meet the needs of the communityit serves and to provide as comprehensive as possible,the healthcare requirements of the local populace, be itemergency services, diagnostics or surgical procedures,’says Dr Chandrashekar, an ophthalmic surgeon.At Nankem, over the years, securing advanced equipmenthas always been a concerted investment plan. To theextent that ‘supply’ has always been ahead of demand. ‘Iwould rather not wait for a situation where so-calleddemand is at a point where it justifies the inclusion ofhigh-end equipment, at the cost of timely healthcare. Takeour mammography, digital X Ray or CT Scan - we do farless number of scans daily, to break even with the costsof these expensive machines, but that is alright,considering the number of patients who have not had togo down to Coimbatore for lack of the facility here.’The only hospital in the private sector to have thesemachines, Nankem has also led from the front with regardto certain specialities as well as in bringing in top surgeons.Among others, is the senior paediatric surgeon, DrBrahmanandam and reputed pathologist, Dr GeethaJayaram (who heads the sister concern RamakrishnaDiagnostic Centre at Ooty) - both are one of their kind inthe region. Dr Anusuya’s reputation in the sphere ofwomen’s health, goes beyond the confines of the district.These top practitioners are part of Dr Chandrashekar’slong term plan to bring to the Nilgiris the most advancedhealthcare set up (a new wing is nearly complete). Thiswill include a day-care-surgery centre, complete with 15surgery cubicles - one could come in the morning,complete the procedure and return home by evening,removing the need for overnight admission. A majorstride.The women’s clinic is perhaps the only centre that takeson high-risk pregnancy and delivery in the Nilgiris, withsuccess rates comparable to the best centres in the plains.With early detection of cancer in women and itsprevention - close to Dr Anusuya’s heart, the centre hasmany firsts including hysteroscopy which helps do awaywith unnecessary hysterectomy.

Investing in good health.

Medical pioneers: The enterprising doctorcouple outside the soon-to-be-commissioned,modernised wing at Nankem Hospital.

Nankem Hospital, Upper Coonoor, Nilgiris; S. India 643102. Ph (0423) 2231550 Fax: +91-423- 223 8696 email: nankem_nkc@yahoo.co.in

At the same time, this organisation is equally busymeeting its social obligations - the annual freelaparscopic surgeries (for nearly a decade now),participatory hospital to the chief minister’s freeinsurance scheme, special discounts forgovernment employees, on site periodic healthcamps for poorer sections - all of which meanswell for a cross section of locals in the Nilgiris.For this first family of healthcare, in the district -Dr Chandrashekar’s father the late Dr NKappinipathy was among the earliest doctors inthe Nilgiris and now his son, Dr VivekanandChandrashekar is specialising in Reconstructiveand Microvascular (plastic) surgery - bringingquality healthcare, close to home has been acollective vision, a self imbibed value. In theentrepreneur-doctor’s words, ‘When it mattersmost, we would like to be there for you.’

Expressionist.

Every character in The Last Supper paintingslowly comes to life, as one moves fromone figure to the next, comprehendingeach of the disciples, making mental notesand realising how deftly the creator of this- surely a masterpiece - painting, hasworked. Doubting Thomas’ hand plantedbelow his chin, the head slightly tilted iseasily recognised. But its not easy, to haveworked on these twelve individuals nothaving given them any distinct facialfeatures - all of them are as if merged into

‘Indeed expressions are whatDeepa Kern’s work is trulyabout. The painting of a motherwith her two daughters tells theonlooker, instantly, that thethree are coping with a difficultsituation...

one single stroke and yet each is uniquely identifiable!

Deepa Kern’s paintings at New York, exhibited at theIndia House recently, had special visitors, including theSpeaker of the present Lok Sabha, who, as the localdailies wrote, was enthralled by what she saw.

‘Exhibitions help an artist to not only express to a wideraudience, one’s thoughts through the paintings, theyalso help understand others’ perspectives. Thisbroadens the painter’s view which, then helps shapehis or her efforts on the next canvas,’ says the softspoken painter-expressionist.

Indeed expressions are what her work is truly about.The painting of a mother with her two daughters tellsthe onlooker, instantly, that the three are coping witha difficult situation, a tragic episode perhaps. The Incapainting (in pic below) depicts the surprise and thetreachery that led to capture and killing of the tribalruler. How did she manage to depict hundreds ofsoldiers on the canvas without having to actually drawthem?!...

Deepa’s studio, perched, strategically, one might add,at the loft of their home in

Coonoor, Nilgiris hassemblances of one who hasbeen been at work, for long

years - there are paintings that areover two decades old, including one

of a polo match in progress, another of hillside viewon a sunny afternoon and even one with a test cricketer(you can say that by the identifiable ‘whites’). There isalso the empty canvas set up in the corner, ready towelcome the first brush stroke. Paints - large tubes ofthem, some of them pressed in the centre, hurriedlyperhaps - in all the possible colours, jostle for space ona little table in the centre of this room, which resemblesa gallery.

Now, Nilgiri Palette, Deepa’s exclusive art gallery isopen at Gray’s Hill nearby, where visitors may get aglimpse of her work.

For the painter who took an inclination to art from herearly school days, it has been a long journey. Shebelieves, the road ahead, in her pursuit ofexpressionism through art, will be even morechallenging - and interesting. ‘For me art is a journey.It’s a discovery, as I go along. I always believe one’s artis an expression of one’s self - to go into each day withan open mind. I don’t know what I might paint next,until I put down the first stroke on canvas.’

If anything can come close to her art, it’s these expressivethoughts - the philosophy. But isn’t it all intertwined?

Original Art & Paintings, Nilgiri Palette, Gray’s Hill Coonoor 643 101Ph: + 91- 423 - 2232413 www.deepakern.com

‘I don’t have to become the Prime Minister to makea difference. I believe I can make change, howeversmall, in my own way.’

Gokul is a bright young student, who can make aconversation most interesting simply because he canspeak on a range of subjects as varied as music andpolitics. Credit his school for this.

Started in the year 2000, the aestheticallyconstructed Riverside Public School is any student’sdream come true - serene surroundings, amplespace, personalised desks, teachers and trainers ofall disciplines,school buses to pick them up from

The remarkable aspect of this school,that is doing things differently, isthat every student is a Gokul -exploring, discovering, decidingand pursuing - each with anindependent perspective.

Riverside Public School, San-Tri-Moo; Kotagiri, S. India.Phone: 04266-274555/6 fax: +91-4266 274777

www.riversidepublicschool.com

Discoveringthe Individual.

almost anywhere within the taluk’s radius andof course the hot afternoon lunch - even for dayscholars.

‘I believe kids must enjoy this phase of their life,the time of learning and discovery,’ says thechief mentor and founder of Riverside, SureshBelliraj. ‘It is important to facilitate them in amanner that they will, each for themselves,discover their inherent talents and pursuethem,’ he adds.

Gokul belongs to one of the early batches,having joined asa little boy. Now in his 12th Std,its amazing that the young lad has tried a handat almost everything that he could have - a greenbelt in Karate, he is also an 800m runner. His‘first love’ is piano, having now gone to highergrades in music. Incidentally, his association withmusic began with the flute, when he was in alower class. He is a good orator (not surprising,considering his conversational skills). He is afairly good Bharathanatyam dancer! Has goneon to a bigger stage as well, representing theschool at national competitions - has written anovel of 50000 words which was shortlistedfrom over a lakh budding writers from acrossthe country...

The remarkable aspect of this school, that isdoing things differently, is that every student isa Gokul - exploring, discovering, deciding andpursuing - each with an independentperspective.

‘I want to study law but I believe I can do well inmusic too.’ Will decision making be a challenge,with so much choices and so much freedom, ina manner of speaking?

‘I don’t think so,’ says a senior teacher. ‘Ourchildren are also exposed to the tenets ofleadership, early on, one of which is to bedecisive, to know when to draw the line and inwhich direction to head. Our role is to facilitiateand channelise.’ What does Gokul like mostabout school? ‘My teachers!’

The student of the year knows that he isfortunate to have gone through the portals ofan institution that chose to rewrite the school-going experience. Have you ever beenpunished? ‘Yes. With one hour at the library.’A visiting parent from Tirunelveli, consideringputting his daughter into the school, whooverheard this part of the conversation musthave been relieved. And is likely to have madeup his mind as well.

Nurturing leaders: Gokul is ready to step into the world.

Who can forget the high counters of thisconfectionery store on Commercial Street, Ooty,with the slightly stern look of an elderlygentleman peering down, above the large glassbottles filled with chocolates, asking the ‘regulars’- school kids, on their break - to place the coinson the counter for him to count so he could tellthem what all they could buy within that amount?

‘Some little chaps would happily knock off a fewsweets and run away’, says Muralidhar Rao,whose father, he laughs, ‘would never mind that.‘In fact, two old students, now grown-ups, cameto the new store recently and confessed to dadthat they would pinch goodies while he waslooking the other way.’ Its seems the senior manreplied saying, ‘I know’...

Father-son combination: Janardhan Rao and Muralidhar Rao

Founded in 1951, Modern Stores is now 60!

What makes it modern, even now, is the range ofitems that one can expect , beyond its much-lovedhomemade chocolates. ‘You can find almosteverything at Modern,’ says a regular shopper.With a cross section of customers, including localsand visitors to the district (a large chunk of firsttimers land up here by word-of-mouth), Murali,as Mr Rao’s son is known to all their customerstook on day to day management of the store afew years ago. They chose to relocate to a largerpremises on Garden road, a move that wasimperative in order to meet growing demand.Today, the store is able to house over 20,000different stock items which range from stationeryto cosmetics, personal care products to pet food,even bicycles, trekking equipment, homefurnishing and more.

‘Everytime a customer asks us for a product thatwe might not have, (which is unlikely) we do alittle study, identify the manufacturers or thewholesalers and test some samples before wemake our minds up, to stock it.’ Customers areassured of the quality of any product they pickup from Modern Stores, but more important isthe personal guarantee that this father-soncombination brings to the business.

Going ahead, Modern Stores plans to start up itsown modernised baking unit that will bring itsown brand of bread and fresh pastries. Plans alsoto brand certain grocery items are on the anvil.

Despite its growth and transition to a technologydriven retail entity the traditional values ofpersonal customer touch remainuncompromised.

You will still find the smiles on entry and exit. Youwill still smell the fresh chocolates but you willspot the new technology as well - a surveillancecamera, particularly above the chocolate counter,which, according to Murali, simply means, ‘smile,you are in front of a camera!

Feel at Home.After 60 years, Modern Storesretains its modernity and range

(with over 20000 different stock items)without compromising its traditions

of personal touch with customers.

Phone: 0423-2442678/ 2447353 e-mail: modern1951@yahoo.com

If you walk in to one of Jeyamathy Jayabalan’ssessions, expecting a maths workshop to berather serious, you’re in for a surprise - you willbe greeted with lots of excitement, chatter andeven the occasional laughter - every adult inthe room will sound like an animated child!

Indeed, making maths enjoyable is the primarygoal of this enthusiastic teacher of maths.

‘Tell the little children that Maths is all aroundus. It even finds its way into English,’ tellsJeyamathy to the group of teachers attendingthis one day workshop at Brindavan Hr SecSchool,Coonoor - one of the schools in theNilgiris that she visits from Chennai. ‘Words liketri-pod (triangle) or binocular and bicycle(meaning having two elements),’ shecontinues, encouraging the teachers to makestudents look at Maths as an integral part ofeveryday life.

‘Children want to enjoy everything that theydo, why not enjoy maths as well, ‘ Jeyamathybeams. In fact, many little children can helptheir mothers understand how to shop moreintelligently. Here’s how: the child takes a barof soap on the shop counter, looks at the price,quickly converts the equation to paise per gramand tells mom whether this soap has greatervalue for money over the other!

‘Arithmetic is different from Mathematics,’says the master teacher. Arithmetic is simplyfour operations, while Mathematics is analysis.Creativity is key. In maths, you can arrive at asolution in several different ways.’ Toemphasise this point, the teachers are shownwhat is called a fraction-circle. Fraction-circlesare circles cut into equal circle parts. ‘One-sixthadded six times will give one, but why not alsoarrive at one through a variation of fractions?It’s easy,’ she smiles, displaying the fragmentedobject in her hand and helping the teachers tofind for themselves, the solutions...

Schooled in Sivakasi, Jeyamathy’s family hasalways been avid puzzle solvers, riddle expertsand cryptic clue finders!

But her inspiration came from her mentor.

‘Mr. P.K.Srinivasan, the Curator of RamanujanMuseum & Math Education Centre, in Chennai,was a great person who kindled me to worktowards my goal. I always promote his way of

‘I love my Mathsteacher’

teaching mathematics by making the teachers aswell as the students explore and find themathematical concepts by themselves.’

Jeyamathy works with teachers of Stds 1 - 5. ‘It’simportant to catch them young. When they get alittle older, the children are already fixed in theirapproach.’

The cheerful teacher feels she still has more to do.Her inspiration comes from what she has achievedwith several thousand young minds - ‘As I look backon my journey, I can see excited faces of mathteachers who have taken to this way of teaching. Ialso see the bright faces of the children who haveexperienced math as an enjoyable subject.’Principal of St HIlda’s School, Ooty, Mrs P Clarkeputs it aptly when she says, ‘children call out toJeyamathy on her entering campus, shouting toher “Come to our class, come to our class!” Notsurprising then, if the old refrain of ‘I hate maths’is being replaced with ‘I love my maths teacher.’

Her future goal: to take math learning to countriesof Africa. Its a social calling. ‘I have to get a grip onthe language, but math transcends all barriers,’ shesays, having simplified this equation as well.

Making math easy: J Jeyamathy with a fraction-circle, handy.

‘Maths is all around us. It even findsits way into English - words like tri-pod (triangle) or binocular and bicycle(meaning having two elements).

jjeyamathy@gmail.com/94449 09263

schools. ‘What excites children most is that they can convert all this plastic to constructiveuse,’ says the cheerful social worker. All these bottles were used to build a little polyhousefor tree saplings! ‘He is a very hard working person and I have always seen him as aninspiration to young children,’ says P Anbalagan, a former colleague. Look at the allround impact - children embraced responsible behaviour, they helped construct fromdestructive waste and importantly the tourist location got clean.

Children with special needs is a subject that many would rather not talkabout. Even those parents blessed with a special child find it hard to

accept, turning despondent at times and largely incapable of meetingthe child’s needs which are different from children not having tocope with challenges - challenges like Dyslexia, Autism, CerebralPalsy and Down-syndrome. ‘My son has shown remarkable changein the last two months,’ says a mother of her autistic child. ‘We

never thought he will have so much improvement,’ she states, as shereturns from her childs school, Udhavi - the centre of education for

children with special needs. Mala Ramaswamy, Secretary of Udhavi, isequally appreciative of Lathika Rao, ‘She brought structure to the program. Herindividualised curriculum has had a positive impact on the learning skill and developmentof each child. The Rotary vocational service awarded to her, is a fitting testimony.’ Thereare 13 children attending this day school in Coonoor and their mentor has won their

hearts.Yet another educator, a principal of one of Nilgiris’ oldest schools - a

residential girls school, is honoured with the Bannari Amman groupinstituted award, for Best Hr Sec School Principal in the district.This Principal’s aim is overall development.A national levelbasketball tournament feat by the school team, a clean sweep atState level athletics by this school’s athletes, the highest number ofranks at the board exams with bestaverages of all time, makes this

award well deserved. ‘Each little child must shine, must be able todiscover her abilites and talent’, says the head, now in her tenth year.

‘Mrs Pamela Clarke is very concerned about each and every child and I find her very farsighted,’ says J Jeyamathy, maths trainer from Chennai who trains the school’s mathsteachers. ‘Few heads of institutions are willing to try new ideas and concepts. She showsopenness and has a futuristic vision.’The future of our co-species, their well being and their whereabouts are all but forgottenin this age. Increasing human habitation and greater urbanisation has pushed creatures

of the wild, further away, to the point that now there is conflict. Every sooften, we hear of a leopard death by poisoning or an elephant hit by a

speeding vehicle somewhere in this critical zone, the Nilgirisbiosphere. One man is making the difference. A longstandingconservationist, the former PSU employee N Mohanraj was thisyear’s most sought after individual by the Forest department andwildlife experts for his experience and know how in Global

positioning systems (GPS) devices and radio collaring. ‘Tracking ofelephants is vital for us to understand how it moves, whether the animal

has been able to adapt to the area of translocation (an activity that hasgreatly helped reduce conflict in recent times) or if there are other factors influencing thetrack it follows,’ explains the unassuming man. ‘Radio collaring has brought a deepunderstanding, locally, of animal behaviour.’ Its made all the difference.Its not just with wild animals that people made a difference. This year over a thousandstray dogs were captured unharmed and administered anit-rabies vaccination, neutered

and released. This impact is several fold. Animal welfare organisation IPAN (India Project forAnimals and Nature) has been at it for years but this time around, with their newly inauguratedInternational training centre for veterinarians, near Coonoor, the results are remarkable. Not asingle rabies case reported in 2010. The skills of one man, notwithstanding his being a backgroundrole - the work of dog catcher/handler, having led this large scale capture is a feat worth recognition.What a difference. Both to man and man’s best friend. ‘He’s been with us for over 10 years and

is very dependable. A recent training in Delhi, helped him improve his knowledge and skills whiledealing not only with dogs but larger domestics as well,’ says Nigel Otter, Founder IPAN. ‘Nagaraj is

our Man Friday.’If this effort has made the streets safer for us, another individual is also pitching in on the same turf - road safety. ‘ThisRTO is extremely strict,’is the standard response you will get in the periphery of the transport office in Ooty from bothemployees and members of the public. ‘Leave the vehicle here, go bring the license to show it to me,’ he advises ayoungster who has not carried his license with him. The courtesy that this government official exudes isdisarming but the underlying message of no-nonsense cannot be missed.

Cover story

concluded on pg 14

‘We never thoughthe will have so muchimprovement here.’- Parent of an autisticchild, of her child’sspecial educationcentre and its team.

‘Few heads ofinstitutions arewilling to try newideas and concepts.She shows opennessand has a futuristicvision.’ - a teacher’sviews on high schoolprincipal Mrs P Clarke.

‘Tracking ofelephants isvital for us tounderstand howit moves, whetherthe animal has beenable to adapt to thetranslocation...’- N Mohanraj,Conservationist

They madea differencein 2010

Every enterprise that this business family has undertaken, has beenbuilt on relationships - for almost half-a-century - beginning with theNilga brand that the late G Simrathmull bought over from the BailleyBros in the 60s, to the construction enterprise managed by the thirdgeneration Sancheti brothers. Today, the trio better known by theirfirst names Khivraj, Amarchand and Kailash are at the helm.

‘We didn’t promote any of our development projects, it was our client-friends who did it for us,’ says Kailashreferring to the first property development of Vitrag Infrastructure, Hillsborough, near Coonoor. Each newrelationship brought with it another and before long, a whole new community had decided to build theirhomes on this pretty hillside, enroute Kotagiri.

Spectacular view was not to be the only factor that interested people in the properties that the brothersdeveloped. ‘Buying land is not an easy task, even if you are a local. There are several factors to consider -titles, sanctions, water availability, proximity to town, availability of public transportation and security aspects.But, importantly, development of the land, providing roads, bringing in water and lighting, all make for ahassle free acquisition of property.’ The view is incidental.

Apparently, a prospective buyer from Hyderabad - now an owner of property at Hillsborough, having builther home there, recently - had exclaimed, ‘you made our decision-making easy.’ It has been a good decision,after all. Those who have built a house on the developed property, now visit their ‘place-in-the-hills frequentlyhappy to get away from the bustle, even if for two days.

These relationships have facilitated more projects in the recent year, one at Karamadai, another, again onthe picturesque Coonoor-Kotagiri stretch. ‘Palm Meadows, at Karamadai is a 14- acre property. The choicewas determined by its proximity to Coimbatore as well as the cool and quiet confines of this small town atthe foothills.’ Again, connectivity, access to hospitals and schools alongwith ample space around were theprimary factors in selecting this property for development.. As a rule, Vitrag Infrastructure is known not tobuy land because it is cheap. ‘There is bound to be a compromise on one or the other factor, if land iscoming cheap,’ states Kailash, representing the family’s underlying ethos of delivering value-for- money.‘Even if our price is higher, we try to deliver the inherent value proposition to our clients - which will alsoinclude price appreciation,’ the brothers jointly reaffirm.

It is such values that have held the business family in good stead, even in its oldest venture - plantation gearand all weather proof apparel - Nilga, which today has made a breakthrough into plantations of East Africa.‘Some of our planter friends, now based overseas, have chosen to import our Nilga range oftea plantation apparel,’ says oldest brother Khivraj.

A fitting testimony to the business principles of threegenerations, carefully nurtured and passed down to the trio’sfather, late Shri Madanchand, and cherished by theseentrepreneurs, who can succeed in almost any venture - evenschool uniforms and clothing retail - relying on the familyasset of long term relationships. vitraginfra@gmail.com

Enterprising family

Vitrag Infrastructure; 16, Post Office Road Coonoor 643 101 Ph: +91-423-223 2712

Entrepreneur-brothers: The Sanchetis, Khivraj (front),Amarchand and Kailash.

A prospective buyer from Hyderabad - now anowner of property at Hillsborough, having builther home there, recently - had exclaimed, ‘youmade our decision-making easy.’

Palm Meadows, Oonipalayam Road, (after Christ-the-King Engg College), Karamadai.

Online impact.

Online solution provider: ‘Vinjet Vinod’ enables enterprises to reach

out to a global audience through his web-development.

You can see the school’s main building in front andits basketball court below. Turn slightly and thedormitories come into view. Behind you is is thedining hall and right next to it the chapel - you areviewing all this, virtually, without having to visitthe school!

Vinod Abraham is an accomplished web-developer. His objective to help parents across thecountry - and the world - to get a 360 degree viewof this client’s school campus through theirwebsite, has been amply met with the technologyhe has used - panoramic views.

‘I have enjoyed computer applications ever since Iwas in school myself,’ says Vinod who is today, trueto internet based enterprises, managing a broadspectrum of clients based in India and overseas. ‘Ihad not met my Dubai customers, initially, buttoday, we have a keen relationship, built over thelast three years - Cynthya Technical Works LLC,Dubai is one of his earliest customers.

Vinod started his enterprise Vinjet Solutions in2007, at Ooty. His services include website

development and management softwaredevelopment. He has also been engaged, for thelast couple of years, in research and developmentin the area of anti-piracy.

How does a website benefit an enterprise and whatkind of business should opt for this ‘online’alternative? ‘Anyone can get on to the worldwideweb. The interesting element of having a website isthat an enterprise can reach beyond its geographicalconfines.’ He is right, since schools, hospitals evencharities, which do not, in principle, advertise, amechanism such as the internet, helps conveyinformation that enable people to make aninformed choice.

Over a decade ago, the famed founder of MicrosoftCorporation had written in his book ‘Business at theSpeed of Thought’ - knock down the walls of yourcompany and electronically build new businessrelationships and new markets...

How long does it take to develop a website for‘Vinjet Vinod’ - the enterprising young man isreferred to thus by some of his old clients. ‘Usually,a regular site, with what we term static pages, willtake less than a week - provided the informationand graphic requirements are in place. For aninteractive site, including video uploads, 360 degreeviews, flash images and so on, anywhere between2-3 weeks will be required to host the website onthe internet,’ he says.

Results for some of Vinjet Solutions’ clients havebeen rather remarkable. In the initial weeks afterlaunching their site, the Kerala-based JerusalemRetreat Centre received over 500 responses a day,for their counselling!

What are Vinod’s plans, going forward? ‘I amworking on movie making and am developingspecial effects for television ads. Interesting growthplans for this fledgling enterprise that chose to breakdown its own barriers, opting instead, to have anoverview of the rest of the world which, consideringwhere Vinod is based - in high elevation Ooty - isnot hard.

The school website, incidentally, in the virtual view,also offers a glimpse of the tall eucalyptus dottingthe hill on which the campus is perched.

Its easy to tell who took the pictures...

‘Anyone can get on to the worldwideweb. The interesting element ofhaving a website is that an enterprisecan reach beyond its geographicalconfines.’

Vinjet Solutions, 13714/I, Pebrook,Coonoor Road, Ooty 643 001Ph: + 91-98943 00083www.vinjetsolutions.com

‘Sumi Thiagu’s tiger paintings are a veryimportant step in the conservation drive,’ saysRajeev Srivastava IFS, Field Director MudumalaiTiger Reserve, referring to her initiativetowards NDTV’s ‘Save the Tiger campaign’ atOoty this year. ‘Children take interest in aserious issue if it is presented in a creativemanner.’

Tiger paintings is but a recent foray for Sumiwho received the Kalashetra Award in 2007 forher landscape paintings.

Much of this budding artiste‘s work who, in herown words, was a ‘late comer to art,’ relatesto the natural wonder of the Nilgiris. ‘I feelNilgiris can be represented in so manywonderful ways, in all its moods and flavours,’Sumi feels.

Some of her iniital works include paintings ofthe Botanical Gardens, with its traditionalgreen-yellow concrete benches - a sojourn ofmany a romantic couple over decades. Thepainting is complete with the depiction of thestylish silver chain links that very gracefullyused to denote a do-not-cross-the-linemessage without having to say so. In fact, ifone had to look at Sumi’s paintings years on,the real scenario, at a point in time, not so longago, will have been clearly documented -frozen in time, so to speak. When theauthorities chose to remove the creepers thatcovered an entire building - a longstandingtrademark of the gardens’ entrance - Sumi,saddened at their decision, decided to preservethe memory through her painting - it took herabout a week to complete that rendition - allthrough visualisation. ‘Art is aboutvisualisation. And moods.’ To draw is one thing,but to be able to recreate or kindle an emotionis the challenge.’

The late starter has had two art masters till nowand she continues to learn newer techniques,enhancing her capabilities.

Special requests are coming in. One holidayresort, asked if she could create a mural - onewith natural forest depiction. Anothersuggested a series of paintings of traditionalBadaga culture, including their customs, attire,way of life, festivals etc. Hailing from thisindigenous community of the Nilgiris herself,that must be rather simple for her? She thinks

Natural strokes. Tiger painter-campaigner: Sumi at the NDTV save-the-

tiger campaign where she displayed her paintings and

customised tiger t shirts.

otherwise. ‘Nothing is simple, but everything canbe simplified.’

Interesting advice from this fast- gaining-acclaimpainter, who doesn’t believe she is ready to teachart as yet. ‘That is a different challenge altogether,she says in a self effacing manner. For now, thefocus is on bringing out more facets of the district.Her series on flowers of the Nilgiris, all- seasonflowers, has caught the attention of natureenthusiasts, ‘Sumi’s work is bold. Her use ofcolours reflects her inner character,’ says PremaRamakrishnan, an admirer.

Boldness is an essential ingredient for an artist tohelp deal with criticism - something that painters,the world over, must deal with. It requires doggedresilience.

Sumi’s resilience augurs well for causes like tigerconservation as it is, for changing traditions fastbeing replaced by modernity. or even heritagesites and spaces, which, by her work, draws ourattention towards, evoking emotion and action -the NDTV save the tiger campaign at Ooty,garnered over 500 signatures in a single day!

... if one had to look at Sumi’s paintingsyears on, the real scenario, at a point intime, not so long ago, will have been clearlydocumented - frozen in time ...

sumithiagu@gmail.com/94426 74433

Cover story

The major tragedyaverted on the Ooty-Coonoor highway whenthe road began to showcracks can be attributedto his, (the district SP’s)team’s quick responseand diversion of traffic,not willing to take anychances.

‘...he will go back thenext day, find the personwho has wounds andtake him to thegovernment hospital.Beggar children are dulyadmitted in HobartSchool. If the kids runaway, like theysometimes would, hewould find them andbring them right back.’Hebron school vice-principal, on TMohandas.

This RTO will drop allpaper work and headoff to distant Gudaluror Kotagiri onreceiving a complaintthat school childrenare being crammedinto a van - apparently25 children in one van.

They madea differencein 2010

R Venkatraman will drop all paper work and head off todistant Gudalur or Kotagiri on receiving a complaint

that school children are being crammed into a van -apparently 25 children in one Tata Sumo. The driverwas chargesheeted a case filed and the vehicle handedover to the nearest police station for this grossviolation. ‘We are only doing our duty and I hope the

public understands this.’ In a surprise check recentlyon around seventy vehicles, only one driver was found

under the influence of alcohol. A marked change fromyesteryears!The stronger the army, the greater the peace, is an old refrain. Its true ofthe police force in recent times, especially over the year gone by. The newSuperintendent of Police is keenly involved in day to day law and order andkey policemen in his team are pitching in ably.The major tragedy averted on the Ooty-Coonoor highway when the road

began to show cracks can be attributed to his team’s quick responseand diversion of traffic, not willing to take chances. On the

wireless, one man’s voice is unmistakable, the special branchinspector, his key role in intelligence with speedy responseto instructions from the district police headquarterscannot be ignored. His is a pivotal role in mobilisationand deployment. With 4 telephones around him and ahuge notepad for jottings, the pain balm on his shelf, kept

handy, is understandable. Influenced greatly by hissuperintendent uncle ‘serious Chinnasamy’, when he was a

boy, P Velumani, the tough, tall cop smiles in deference, brushing asideacknowledgement by saying ‘this year has been fairly trouble free.’ He, aswith the department, is certain that the burglaries cases will be solved soonerthan later. ‘We have arrested the Mary’s Hill (Ooty) gang. The Coonoorcases (helmet robber) are being investigated with the help of a special team.’Crime, as is widely known, has its manifestation in unemployment. Toconclude this tribute by tying it in with the initial paragraphs that involved

youth and gainful employment, in barely six months, this ladyin Coonoor, spearheading the corporate social responsibility

of a tea industry conglomerate, has helped provide freeeducation and certification to 151 young men and womenall ready now to be employed in various vocational fields.‘The Tahsildar just called with opportunities for dataoperators,’ Latha Jebakumar excitedly tells her team, the

good news. This on the day of the first batch passing outof the institute in earlyDecember.

Lest we forget the lesser fortunate, the destitute and those leftto beggary and wretchedness, reports have it that many such are transportedup from various urban outgrows in the plains and left here to fend forthemselves. Such a situation notwithstanding, it is heartening to know thatthey are not alone. One man goes beyond the ‘night-soup rounds’ that Hebronand Hildas staff and students undertake of which he is a part - ‘T Mohandaswill go back the next day, find the person who has wounds and take him tothe government hospital. Beggar children are duly admitted in Hobart School.If the kids run away, like they sometimes would, he would find them andbring them right back.,’ says, Tom George, Vice Principal, Hebron School,

Ooty, appreciative of this energetic individual - his colleagueat Hebron - who, he states, is always up and about helping

people!Those whose names have figured in ‘people who madea difference in 2010’ will not know that they werenominated till this article is published. It is certain thatevery one of them will state that they have not achieved

anything extraordinary. Many, in fact, are not evenprominent or well known. Which makes all the difference-

to do what must be done without expecting anything in return. Name, fame nor acknowledgementbut their work has left a mark on 2010, inspired us to enter the coming year with hope and courage...

Adman-Designer.His office is a minimalist’s delight - a polished wooden table to hold up an i Mac, a traditional glass-panedcupboard that showcases some recent designs - including an attractive logo and packaging for a teamanufacturer - one single-toned poster of ace basketballer Michael Jordan, on the wall opposite his worktable and ample quiet - except when his little son walks in to provide a ‘chatter break’ to the creative teamof this accomplished film maker-adman-designer, Deepak Bhojraj.

What Deepak has achieved, thus far, is huge.

The corporate presentation for the Murugappa Group is one of his early creations - a challenging one itwas to be - to try and include the conglomerate’s various business verticals - in a all-in-one short movie.

‘A movie clip or an ad spot takes hours, even days to conceptualise, shoot, edit and deliver. Somethingthat one cannot comprehend when viewing the final output, which is over in about 20 seconds,’ explainsDeepak. Creativity is key, but technology delivers.

An ad film he made about five years ago, for a leading textiles client was much talked about for its cuttingedge technology. ‘The Pothy’s Silks advertisement, on TV, showing the character wearing a fine white silksaree, took 54 cameras to deliver the from-all-angles look. The entire film fraternity had turned up to seethe high technology at work.’ Deepak was to become among the first in thecountry to incorporate thetime-slice technology! Why go to such lengths, to promote a product or to create a corporate image,even a film promotion - where, one must put more into a short clip, without giving away the story? ‘Whiledoing the promos for the Mani Ratnam produced Raavan, we were told to bring in very little effects butto deliver the maximum impact.’

With his packaging and logos, Deepak is equally keen to deliver impact - ‘What’s the point in having agood product - quality tea, for instance - but unattractive packaging?’ he says, showing us for example,a redesigned tea packet, beautifully crafted in blue with the company’s logo in stylish silver lettering.‘Tea boxes on a retailer’s counter are several. You’d want a shopper to easily spot and select your product,from the rest.’

The local, having made his mark in the world of advertising - Deepak was based in Chennai, until about ayear ago - set up his office in Ooty, which now takes on a whole gamut of design related work rangingfrom school magazine and souvenir designs to logo creations and packaging for local, national andinternationally based clients. Rising Apple is the advertising agency. The Little Big Company (creativelynamed) is the management firm. His movie making work, from here, remains undisturbed - evenmovie posters and publicity for big studios is designed from right here, in Ooty - unthinkable for theindustry where movie posters are not designed anywhere outside Chennai - its the sheer strength ofhis client relationship at work...

Technology forms an integral part of Deepak’s work. The print quality on the acebasketballer’s poster is superb. Deepak says, ‘the vibrance that the high-end printingmachine (on which this poster has been printed) has delivered, serves us as a constantreminder that quality is an achievable end.’ Good news for his clientele, that thisadman’s competition is himself, constantly trying to raise his own standards, strivingfor the best turnout.

Its not surprising that the team delivered a perfect turnout that amazed even the spitand polish army brass, locally. The job: a box, to house the the newly recruited armyman’s beret, scarf, insignia and belt - a matter of personal pride to the new entrantat the Madras Regimental Centre in Wellington. The box, with its wooden finish,the regiment’s insignia embossed on the cover, carries an inset poster on thehistory and achievements of the centre. So much for impact...

‘A well packaged product isa silent salesman.’

Rising Apple, Hindustan Mahal; Coonoor Rd, Ooty - 643001. India Ph (0423) 244 2659. www.risingapple.in

Making the difference: (Pic top left) students from the Guernsey school, Coonoor who participatedin the 16 week plastic collection campaign, the entire ‘waste’ was finally put to use - they built apolyhouse. (Pic top, right) T Mohandas distributing food and blankets to beggars in Ooty. (Picbottom, left) Nagaraj in action, capturing a stray, for anti-rabies vaccination. (Pic bottom right)

conservationist, N Mohanraj ‘walking’ an orphaned elephant calf at Mudumalai.

Statutory disclaimer: TheLocal disclaims liability of any kind whatsoever, arising out of the readers use, or inability to use the material contained in it.Adequate care has been taken to compile stories for the reference of our users. TheLocal makes every effort to maintain accuracy of the information but doesnot accept responsibility for any and disclaims responsibility for any loss or damage which may arise from the information provided. All opinion expressed in the

issue in the form of articles or any viewpoint is solely that of the individual or advertiser concerned and TheLocal accepts no liability thereof. None of theAuthors, Contributors, Sponsors or anyone connected to TheLocal can be liable for any reproduction of the material.

The Most Sacred Cattle “Bells” Some Toda dairy-temples possess ritual artefacts of the very highest sanctity. These are metal objects (iron, silver and gold are reported) thatare attached to the rear wall of the dairy’s inner room and are covered with ferns to protect their purity. Generically they are termed mone”y,which in Toda (as in other southern Dravidian languages) means a “bell”—as this writer was informed (but with no way to confirm that informationfor himself) and most of them are not actually bells. The fact that these mony—bell-shaped or not—are hung (encased in rattan strips so that the general public cannot see them) around thenecks of temple buffaloes to be sacrificed at a funeral ceremony and that one of them used to be hung around a buffalo’s neck at the highestgrade of Toda dairy (the institution is now defunct) when the temple herd was being moved, suggests that these sacred objects may indeed havetheir origin in cattle-bells. Among the most sacred of the dairy appurtenances (see last month’s article for an account of the others) is another earthen vessel that is notkept inside the building at all, but is buried in the ground some distance away. The purity of the entire dairy-temple is believed to be linked to thecondition of this pot, known as the mu. Any time the building is defiled by contact with impure people or objects, the mu has to be excavated anda series of complex purificatory rites performed. On the left hand side of the inner room is the fireplace where the officiating dairyman-priest cooks his food. This fire, unlike that in the outerroom, is usually kept alight throughout the period during which the dairy is in use. Should the fire happen to die out, the dairyman must light itwith fire produced by friction, using the dairy’s firesticks. Ordinary matches or lighters, defiled by their association with the impure world outsidethe dairy, are not permitted within any part of the dairy, whether it be the outer or inner room. The dairyman lights the fire located between thebeds of the outer room using a firebrand taken from the inner room.One- and three-room dairy-temples The Todas build certain of their more sacred dairy-temples as single-room structures. In this case—with only a sanctum sanctorum and norelatively less-sacred sleeping quarters—at night the officiating dairyman-priest must occupy a special hut, located nearby. As for the relativelyrare three-room dairies, these are found in hamlets that double as male funeral places. Usually the funeral places—for males and femalesrespectively—are located at some distance from the domestic settlements, but where a hamlet is also used as a male funeral place, one of itsdairy-temples must have three rooms. This is because, at one point in the obsequies, the male corpse must be laid inside the temple and yet thesacred dairying equipment must be protected from the virulent death pollution. The two requirements are fulfilled by having a middle room thatserves to separate the corpse, in the outer room, from the sacred dairying equipment located in the innermost one.From Sacred Milk to Non-sacred Ghee The principal objectives of the sacred dairy operations of the Toda people, who live atop the Nilgiri Mountains in South India, are for adairyman-priest—male (never female) of greater ritual purity than ordinary males—to milk the temple buffaloes in his charge, and to processtheir milk inside the dairy-temple, producing butter, buttermilk, and ghee. The milk drawn for a dairy is sacred, whatever the grade of buffalo from which it is derived. Of the milk products, on the other hand, buttermilkand butter have much less sanctity and ghee none at all. Thus it is possible to interpret the entire dairy ritual (though this is not an indigenousexegesis) as a procedure for diluting the extreme sanctity of the milk in order that its final product, ghee, may be consumed by everybody withinand traded with anybody outside of the caste.The Ordination of a Dairyman-priest The rituals associated with the induction of a dairy-man priest, as also those associated with his office once he has been so inducted, varyaccording to the traditions of the different patriclans that own the temples and also with the position of a particular temple within the hierarchyof such institutions that the Todas recognize. Such is the complexity of the Todas’ sacred dairy cult that only broad generalizations are possible inan article of this nature. The principal purpose of the ordination rites for a Toda dairyman-priest is to raise the ordinand to a level of ritual purity consonant with thesanctity of the dairy-temple at which he is to serve. For the lowest grade temples—for which the rites are the simplest—the induction processbegins around first light when the priest-designate, without having eaten, proceeds to the dairy at which he will serve. Here he bows to thethreshold, then washes his hands with water handed to him by the outgoing dairyman (if there is one) or else he cleanses himself at the dairystream. Ablutions completed, the ordinand changes dress inside the dairy-temple’s outer room. Removing his secular clothing (white loinclothand embroidered cloak), he dons the priestly black loincloth that Todas call a tueny, which he must wear whenever engaged in the ritual work ofdairying. (Especially in the early morning chill, he may don a second black cloth as a shawl.) Now properly attired, he proceeds to the dairy stream,where he assembles seven leaves and a handful of shoots from the Yellow Bramble shrub (Rubus elipticus). These shoots he pulps on a stone atthe edge of the dairy stream; then, taking some of the pulp, he dips it into the water, after which he squeezes the juice three times onto one ofthe leaves. Next, he raises the leaf to his forehead before drinking the infusion and finally, throws the leaf backwards over his head. He repeatsthis sequence of ritual acts with each of the remaining six leaves. This accomplished, the ordinand collects together all the pulped shoots he hasused, dips them into the dairy stream once more and rubs his face and body with them three times before putting the pulped shoots into his hairat the back of his head. At this point the dairyman-priest designate is deemed to have acquired a state of ritual purity sufficient for him to begin the final rites of hisordination. He returns to the dairy-temple at which he is to serve. Here the outgoing dairyman will have set an earthen pot called a mu: in theToda language (or, if the newly-appointed dairyman is opening up the temple afresh, he will himself collect this pot from where it has beenburied). He now ritually sweeps the temple entrance with as few strands of a grasscalled kakarx (Eragrostis nigra), following which he bows to the mu: This ritualsequence he performs three times before entering the dairy-temple.Proceeding now to the threshold of the inner room, he bows and entersthe sanctum. Here he salutes (by raising his extended right hand to hisforehead) or touches the various dairy appurtenances, culminating withthe pot in which he will churn milk. This last act makes him a fully-qualified dairyman-priest. He now rekindles the fire inside the innerroom, using firesticks to produce a spark by friction, since profanematches or lighters may not be brought into the sanctum. Hethen leaves the dairy to milk the buffaloes in his charge. The overall intention of these ritual minutiae is clear: toraise a man of the impure secular world to a sufficientlyhigh level of ritual purity to permit him to enter the pureand sacred realm of the dairy-temple. This is achieved,first, by requiring that the ordinand drink, as well as washhimself, with water from a sacred source—the dairystream, and, second, by bringing him, stage by stage,into contact with the sacred objects with which hewill be associated during the period of his priesthood.But why a particular kind of leaf, and why seven ofthem, why throw the leaves over his head and whyput the shoots in his hair? For the Toda all such ritualacts are of the utmost importance; failure toperform them is thought to nullify the efficacy ofthe ordination ritual. On the other hand, few—ifany—Toda are able to interpret the precisesymbolism of these acts and of the materials theyuse for them. For them, “necessary ritual act” issufficient both as justification and interpretation.

Sacred Buffaloes, Dairiesand Dairymen in SouthIndia

Dairyman-priest seated beside his dairy’s entrance anddressed in prescribed ritual attire. Note the sun, moonand buffalo head reliefs; also the date of the temple’sreconstruction (with stone to replace wood walls), viz.1 January, 1967 (Photograph: Pauline H. Walker).

local traditions

By Dr Anthony R. Walker

Contd in next issue

Contd from previous issue

Mountain Home School and Junior Collegehas over decades, encouraged students todevelop skills in music, singing, literaryevents and outdoor activities like trekkingand nature camps.Music has a long history.It is interesting to note that the School choirperformed the Annual Christmas CarolService at the All Saints Church, Coonoor,for the first time in the year 1934. 76 yearslater, to date, the school still performs atthe church, the choir still enrapturing themass each Sunday and of course the AnnualChristmas Service.The School also encourages the students inoutdoor activities like camping, trekking

‘Rocking’since 1911!

Focus on co-curricular activity:

(top left) a program sheet from 1913,

showing the sequence of events, (top

right) the school’s present day junior

choir. (Pics below) outdoor games, rock

climbing...

and rock climbing to encourage thestudents to develop physical strength. Fieldtrips are organized to enable research anddocumentation. The students await theseoutdoor activities.The students are encouraged to excel inart and craft too. From Class 8 and abovethey are encouraged to maintain a log oftheir work and at the end of each yearwhich are displayed at the AnnualExhibition.Each class enacts a 40 minute drama whichwould invariably include singing to theaccompaniment of music. Drama, elocutionand poetry writing skills are honed on theliterary front.

Mountain Home Schoolhas a long tradition ofco-curricular activity forits students that includesmusic, literary eventsand outdoor activity.

Estd: 1911

history

Mountain Home School & Junior College, Balaclava, Coonoor; The Nilgiris District, South India. Ph +91-423-2206471