ओं सोलर energy

India is the land of sunshine. In most parts of the country we get at least 300 days of sunshine, if not more. Then why don't we use the power of the sun to fulfil our energy needs? Why are we so dependent on conventional sources of energy?

We have a Ministry of New and Renewable Energy but the common man doesn't seem to know or want to do anything to harness this energy. I just came across this magazine called AKSHAY URJA that is devoted to alternate sources of energy. Pretty interesting and informative.

Do you know that solar energy can be used not just to heat water but also to distill water and purify it. With the help of the sun we can cook our food using solar cookers. You can dry your agricultural and food products using solar-powered dryers. We can light up our houses and heat water using solar power.

The government should step in by settting an example. It should insist that all government buildings and institutions adopt solar energy and use eco-friendly products. At the same time they should also insist on using eco-friendly cars like the Bangalore-based REVA which runs on electricity. This could possibly lead to a decrease in the price of the little electric car and that in turn will give RATAN TATA's a run for his money and a no no to his NANO.

spoke to Meera Uberoi

Finally contacted Meera Uberoi through Amina Ali who sent me her phone no. Chatted with her for about 40 mts. She's very ill, some pancreatic something or the other. The amazing thing is that she has been through at least three major surgeries and even the doctors and her friends didn't expect her to survive but she did. She told me that her gall bladder was removed, and also part of her intestine and part of her stomach too. She can't digest carbohydrates and fats but she's told to have a lot of proteins. She lives in Delhi because she's under treatment and her doctors are there. With all her problems though she seems quite cheerful and at times a little sardonic.

I asked her about marriage and she said that she's been married more times than she cared to remember. She didn't say exactly how many times but I presume it was three. She said that each time she walked out of marriage without taking anything. That's really rare nowadays cos most of the time people keep fighting over possessions and custody of children etc. Meera doesn't have any children though. At first she said she felt bitter about it but then came to terms with it.

Do you know Meera is an author and has written quite a few books? She's written books for children, books on health and a comprehensive tome on gardening too. In fact she says that she would have loved to be a gardener because she has a green thumb and loves plants. She wrote she says, because that was the one talent she had. She has even ventured into painting just by chance, without any training. Meera said she would love to hear from friends but she is not computer savvy at all. If any of you would like to get in touch with her then I'll give you her phone no. It was fascinating talking to Meera and I think a book should be written on her now.

Holiday in Hong Kong

Hi folks,

Been a long time since I wrote to you so I'll just keep you up to date on what's been happening in this lil corner of the world. Christmas in Mumbai was the same like every year. We went for midnite Mass, then came home opened the presents etc. What was really exciting though was the trip we made to Hong Kong with the extended family - there were 12 of us - 10 adults and 3 kids. We've gone on holidays before with the in-laws but this is the first time we all flew together abroad. It was fun and at times a little harrowing. Can you imagine 12 people wanting to use 3 bathrooms? By the time we got together to go out anywhere it was past noon. Ocean Park is a great place that kids and adults can enjoy. It's right on top of a hill and we went up by escalators - not one but maybe 5 or 6. There's lots of stuff to do and see. What I really liked was their Aquarium. They replicated the ocean floor and it was amazing to see such a great variety of aquatic animals.

We were there for about 8 days. The last 2 days we spent in The Disney's Hollywood hotel and the kids had a blast. To be honest, the rest of us did, too. We went on all the rides, watched the parade with all the Disney characters participating. Like my 45 year old brother-in-law Bobby said, "It's a fantasy come true."

If you ever go to Hong Kong don't stay at The Imperial Hotel which is on Nathan Street in Kowloon, which is one of the prime shopping areas. When we went there was some reconstruction going on. The room was small and lousy. The toilet was big enough for Mickey Mouse - there was no room to turn around. worst of all was the incessant horrible noise that came from the repairing work going on. And it wasn't even cheap. They don't even offer breakfast. We stayed there only 2 days and later shifted to The Empire Hotel on Hong Kong island which was far better and a palace compared to the dingy room we had earlier. And besides The Empire offered a sumptuous breakfast!

Hong Kong is pretty expensive for shopping unless you know where to go and you're prepared to bargain. It's better to shop in the bigger shops and departmental stores because although they are slightly more expensive they don't cheat you. The small shops at places like Nathan Street are best left alone.

heroes symbol

couldn't upload a picture to add to the blog. Tried clicking on something but what turned up was something else again. So that's why it's called a mystery. will need help in putting up the pix

long time no see

Didn't realize that it's been so long since I last posted anything. Must do this more often, meaning that I ought to be more regular.Maybe I cd post some of my students' writings, the good , the bad and the ugly.

there's a cool wind blowing

At last the weather has changed slightly and there was a cool wind blowing today . There wasn't much rain but at least I wasn't breaking out into a sweat everytime I went out.
Sr Bernard wrote yesterday, or rather her letter arrived yesterday. She said that I could email her but her replies would only come by snail mail cos she's too old to keep up with the latest technologies. Sr Bernard suggested that we start a Mumbai chapter of the Shy and Montfort reunions like they have in Australia.

it finally rained

water relief finally. It not only rained but it was accompanied by thunder and lightning. Nirmala sent me a message asking if I was doing the rain dance because I would keep complaining about the heat. If it hadn't been for the thunder and lightning I probably would have been dancing all over the place.