Pandavaas ‘Maangal:’ Reviving Tradition

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May 27, 2019

Next time you attend a Garhwali wedding, the chances are you wont hear the bride walking down the aisle with a Punjabi score in the background, but that to the Garhwali Maangal score by Pandavaas.

A 25 minute compilation of six melodious but forgotten Maangal tracks sung during auspicious ceremonies in Garhwal have been given an interesting musical twist by Pandavaas who attempted to bridge the gap between tradition and modern.

Kunal Dobhal tells us, “We were asked to put together a score for a marriage in Shri Trijuginarayan which is an upcoming wedding destination. Instead of working on something new, we have tried to rework on the ancient traditional Maangal scores, with a new twist which still reverberates with the ancient score above the tweaking of the orchestra.”

While the songs are sung in pahari tune the foot-tapping orchestra complete with sitar, violins and shahnaee doesn’t take away the old-age charm of the songs.

Talented, raw artists from as far as Delhi and Haryana attended a three-day workshop in Srinagar, Garhwal, earlier this year to get the correct pronunciation, accent and intonation which took close to a year to be ready for release. Eight young female artists, few non-garhwali have lent their voice to the melodious tracks. Anamika Vashisth, Anjali Khare, Avantika Negi, Ekta Negi, Ruchika Kandari, Shalili Bahuguna, Shiwani Bhagwat, Sunidhi Vashisth, Sushma Nautiyal along with three male artists Aman Dhanai, Deepak Naithani and Ishaan Dobhal sang the six tracks in the compilation, each relating to a particular ceremony during weddings, such as Haldi haath, Pheras, Vidai etc.

Maangal will soon be released on digital platforms such as iTunes, Gaana and Juke Box on Youtube so that the collection has an international appeal and access to everyone.

About the idea of digital release, Kunal Dobhal says, “its not always about profit and loss, some creativity is done for the love of rituals and traditions and keeping alive, that which was once an inseparable part of our past.”

Biopic on Modi has a Dehradun connect

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Tania Saili

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May 25, 2019

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PM Modi — Actor Satish Sharma and Dr. Anjali Nauriyal in Pm Narendra Modi

Dehradun, Doonite Satish Sharma and Dr. Anjali Nauriyal are making their presence felt, yet again on the silver screen, with their latest release PM Narendra Modi.

Helmed by Director Omung Kumar known for ‘Mary Kom’ and ‘Sarbjit’, and co-produced by Suresh Oberoi, along with Sandeep Singh, the film was shot on-location at Dehradun’s premier institute, Forest Research of India earlier this year.

Prime Minister, Biopic, Modi — Pic Courtesy: Twitter

The biopic saw its own share of controversies as it was slated for an early April release in 23 regional languages, but with Lok Sabha election dates announced around the same time, the movie was put on hold.

The Premier of the movie was held in Mumbai on Thursday late night and released worldwide yesterday. Talking to us, Actor Satish Sharma said, “I have two scenes in the movie. The feedback from fellow actors has been reassuring. My aura, look, along with dialogue delivery has been appreciated, which is good to hear.”

Adding, “It took close to three hours for Actor Vivek Oberoi to complete his get-up with prosthetics and beard essaying the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” recalls Satish Sharma.

Dr. Anjali Nauriyal who plays a cameo role, that of the wife of an MLA in the movie tells us, “It’s a cameo in a comic scene. But it sure feels great to be associated with a film on our Prime Minister.”

Scenes from the PMO were enacted with Actor Prashant Naraynan, veteran actor Anjan Shrivastav and Satish Sharma in the conference room of the Forest Research of India that has been showcased as the Prime Minister’s Office in the movie.

The magnificent corridors of the Forest Research of India also come alive in a few scenes from the biopic.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi sweeping the Lok Sabha elections, the controversial biopic has already generated immense publicity and is said to show promising results at the box office too.

Breathing new life into Aipan: Savita Joshi

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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May 24, 2019

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Aipan, Kumaon — The face behind Aipan art

Nainital: Aepan, Aipan or Alpana, is a traditional art form which has been handed-down by mothers from one generation to the next and still holds a special place in the Kumaoni household.

Today, this way of the ancients is being kept alive by 34-year-old Savita Joshi who grew up in Haldwani, Uttarakhand and is now settled with her family in Gurugram.

Doctorate in Botany, Savita is a Senior Research Fellow as well as a freelance Research Paper Reviewer with over fifteen national and international research papers published under her name, along with being a full-time mom to a two year old.

And when all that isn’t keeping Savita busy, it is her passion to sustain the age-old tradition of Aipan, an art handed down by her grandmother, and then her mother, which gives her ultimate peace and contentment.

Telling us more about it, she says, “while surfing Instagram I came across artists who had showcased their traditional art and craft. Some were using their fingers as a paint brush dipping it in rice paste, which is very similar to Aipan, but there was not much on Uttarakhand and Aipan, which made me start my Instagram handle on Aipan designs.”

And since then, Savita hasn’t looked any further. Today, thanks to talented artists like her, this popular ritualistic art form has got a fresh lease of life. “I never thought that Aipan would have such a fan-following. My Aipan designs are appreciated in home and abroad. I also get customized design ideas on my Instagram and Facebook page.” “Some designs such as Aipan Lakshmi Padchinha and Aipan Diya make excellent co-corporate gifts,” she adds.

Traditionally, Aipan were designed around places of worship inside and outside homes; doors and entrances, around Tulsi plants using Geru (red earth soil) and rice paste i.e. red background with white designs either geometric or tribal or inspired by nature, using the last three fingers of the right hand.

Today Aipan designs such as Aipan chowki , Janaoo Chowki, Namkaran Surya, Saraswati, Lakshmi Peeth, Jyoti Patti, Shiv Shakti Chowki are an all time favorite with Savita’s clients which are designed by her on paper, along with diyas, coasters, trays, pots and planters, bookmarks and puja thaals etc.

In the near future, the artist would like to hold Aipan workshops around the country to share her talent with the next generation, so that Aipan Padchinha continues to welcome friends and family, into their hearts and homes, forever.

Topper Gaurangi Chawla teaches PEN-India School students

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May 21, 2019

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Gauraangi Chawla, Pen India family — Gauraangi with Pen India family

Doiwala, Uttarakhand CBSE topper, Gaurangi Chawla gave a guest lecture to the students of PEN-India School which is an initiative of PEN-India Foundation to provide free and quality education to the underprivileged children. Students appeared very enthusiastic on meeting Gaurangi and her sister Aparna Chawla.

Gaurangi Chawla along with her sister visited PEN-India School where students gave the a warm welcome. Students appeared very enthusiastic and recited poems, counting and alphabets in both Hindi and English. Gaurangi spoke the children and wished them for a bright future. She along with her sister distributed colours and drawing books to the students.

Mr Anoop Rawat, the Founder and Chairperson of the Foundation along with Mr.Santosh Budakoti, the co-founder and Director of the Foundation felicitated Gaurangi with a momento. Volunteer teachers, Mrs Ritu Sharma and Mrs Deepalika Negi were also present.

I want to be a volunteer teacher – Gaurangi

Mr Anoop Rawat, the Founder and Chair person of the Foundation spoke highly of Gaurangi and her sister who were impressed by the students and expressed their desire to become a volunteer teachers in PEN-India School.

Both the sisters also met Dr Prakash Keshaviah, the Patron of the Foundation. Dr Keshaviah said, “its a good initiative that youngsters like Gaurangi and her sister are coming forward to educate the underprivileged children.” Co-founder and Director, Mr Santosh Budakoti spoke on the occasion stating, “students from various educational backgrounds like PhD scholar Anukriti, Shilpa Manwal from Nursing Department and Aarti Pundir from Engineering Department were also associated with PEN-India School as volunteers.”

Earthbound: A thing of beauty is a joy forever

By

Tania Saili

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May 20, 2019

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WhatsApp Image 2019-05-16 at 23.01.59 — Some of the jewellery designed by the ladies

Dehradun, Very seldom do we come across people who make their hobby a career option not only for themselves, but also for those around them. Earthbound, is one such exclusive boutique, which gives the buyer an interesting array of original jewellery and accessories to choose from.

The face behind Earthbound, an exquisite jewellery boutique

The brainchild of Surbhi Mamgain, Earthbound encapsulates the essence of Jute as the main body of every ornament along with silk, cotton, velvet, rayon fabrics decorated with unique German Silver inserts, adding to the collection, a classy yet ethnic look.

Sociology Honours students, along with a Post Graduate Diploma from Apeejay Institute of Design, Surbhi got hooked to the idea of designing jewellery in the year 2016.

What started of as one person’s passion, soon became a mini-industry. Surbhi ably put together a core-team of ten women, whom she single-handedly trained to create designs. Today, these self-dependent women work out of their respective homes, earn a living and dare to dream big.

Her artisans are essentially homemakers who have earned financial and artistic freedom, with every piece that they design. From neckpieces to anklets, bracelets and even belts, Surbhi is exploring more avenues with limited pieces per design being their forte.

Her passion for earthly, simple and rooted fibre and fabric along with the calm and soothing environ of Dehradun took her creativity to whole new level, “Since I moved to Dehradun a couple of years back – I found the city a boon to my creativity and started to design jewellery.”

Telling us more about her artistic bent of mind, Surbhi says, “Contemplation of the design is like a day-dream with no set pattern. But, as soon as an idea comes to me, I am always ready with my material to make that design come alive.”

A worker weaving magic with metal and fibre

Surbhi’s growing list of clienteles comes from across the globe who are strong, self-employed, connoisseur of arts – or simply those who are looking to go beyond the conventional look. “Most of my jewellery finds its owners by word of mouth. I have been sending my jewellery to various countries to individuals as well as collectors.”

Not underestimating the power of social media, Earthbound products can be found on online portals like Jaypore, The loom, Trendroots(USA). Retail outlets like : Anantam in Gurgaon, Hotel Regenta LLP Dehradun, ‘Either Or’ – Pune, showcase her art work as well.

In the near future, Surbhi dreams of creating jobs for hundreds of women who would like to unleash the artist in them and create designs, which will make Earthbound a global brand.

Adopt the habit of cleanliness and make it your religion: Pen-India

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May 19, 2019

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Doiwala – On the occasion of the first Foundation Day of PEN-India foundation, the students of PEN-India School organised a cleanliness drive. During which students appealed to the tourists coming to Uttarakhand to maintain cleanliness during their stay in the State.

PEN-India School organised a cleanliness drive in near areas. Along with the campaign, the students also made an appeal to the visitors coming to Uttarakhand to maintain the cleanliness of the State and used the slogans like “Adopt the habit of cleanliness as a religion.”

Dr. Prakash Keshaviah, the Patron of the foundation said, “harmful gases are emitted from factories and vehicle exhausts are not the only reasons for polluted environment. The trash that people throw, is also one of the leading reasons of the pollution.” He further said that each year Uttarakhand witnesses an increase in the number of tourists visiting the state.

Mr Anoop Rawat, the Founder and Chairperson of the Foundation added, “Atithi Devo Bhawa is our culture, but it is very unfortunate that during tourist season, the state faces the problem of trash being discarded inappropriately. Hence, the students of PEN-India School have appealed tourists to maintain the cleanliness of this beautiful State.“

Co-founder and Director of the foundation, Mr Santosh Budakoti said, “by maintaining cleanliness, we can help in conservation of the environment. To make students and their parents aware about the importance of cleanliness, the Foundation organises cleanliness drive twice a month.“

Voluntary teachers, Mrs Ritu Sharma and Mrs Deepalika Negi along with the parents of the students, Bhavna, Kaamini, Nasreen, Deepa, Hina, Komal etc participated with full enthusiasm, to make this cleanliness campaign a success.

Go Organic the Tel Bhawan way!

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Tania Saili

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May 17, 2019

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Dehradun, Heaps of dried leaves, piled along the road-side, at times being rampantly by burnt with other waste such as plastic and paper close to tree trunks, almost killing the tree, is a practice banned under law but still, a common site in Dehradun, come summer or fall.

In 2012, when Ashish Garg was posted as General Manager at Tel Bhawan, Dehradun he was pained at the sight of leaves being recklessly burnt and decided to do something about it. Adding, “Burning of tree leaves and plastic waste together, not only increases PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration in the air but gases such as Sulphur, Nitrogen Oxides and Carbon Monoxide gas get accumulated far beyond accepted levels in the air, resulting in rising cases of lung diseases and respiratory problems.”

Ashish’s helplessness gave birth to the idea of how, “bio-degradable leaves would gradually decompose wherever they fell, in turn contributing to the quality and moisture retention capacity of the soil,” and he joined hands with Waste Warriors, an NGO working in the field.

Over the past few months, with the help of Waste Warriors, ten compost heaps have been installed within the Tel Bhawan campus which transforms tree leaves into organic compost. Leaves from over hundred litchi trees planted in an area of about 30 acres is now being turned into 250 kg of compost every season, which fulfils the in-house horticultural requirement.

“Technically, Litchi leaves are the hardest to decompose as they take 3-4 months to completely degenerate. A natural compound, basically a catalyst, was added initially, along with periodic water sprinkling to keep it moist,” Ashish informs us.

Compost, Organic, Leaves — Compost heaps at Tel Bhawan, Dehradun

While the compost produced in Tel Bhawan is for in-house use, we hope many more Institutions in the valley will follow suit. This technique will not only ensure that burning leaf waste is a thing of the past but will also generate rich organic manure, which retains moisture in the long, ruthless summer months.

Uttarakhand climbs Mount Everest: Sheetal

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May 16, 2019

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Everest, Sheetal Raj, Mountaineer — Sheetal Raj enroute to Everest

Nepal, Today early morning, when most of us were steering from our sleep, 24 year old Sheetal from Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand unfurled the tri-colour atop Mount Everest, creating history.

Just 25 days ago, enroute to Everest, this young lady updated :

“Finally reached Everest base camp. I am living the dream & will be heading for camp 2 for acclimatization cycle tonight.

Thank you once again for all the love & support…”

Standing tall at 8,848 mtrs, Sheetal accompanied by another fellow climber, 42-year-old Canadian lady along with three Sherpas, summited the peak early morning, putting India on the world map of mountaineering.

Known by her fellow climbers as someone who has a passion for high altitude, extreme temperatures, low oxygen and high velocity winds, Sheetal did not disappoint anyone. An advocate for gender equality, she took along with her UN SGD flag as well to unfurl on Mt. Everest, which is 8,848m above sea level.

Smitten by the peak which represents the purest form of wonder and magnificence of nature, Sheetal set out on the daring task on the 13^th of May this year when the team of five made their way to Camp two at 03:00 hrs early morning. On the 14^th they moved to Camp 3, and successfully completed the ascent from Camp 3 to Camp 4.

Yesterday when we were calling it a day at 20:00hrs Sheetal along with her teammates started the final climb to the summit. After over ten hours of climbing she and her teammate successfully scaled today early morning.

Sharing the wonderful news, Yogesh Garbiyal, an accomplished mountaineer and Sheetal’s guide, mentor and trainer tells us, “I dint have even an iota of doubt in terms of her capabilities at extreme altitudes. It’s all about weather since she left India. You won’t believe and nobody will believe looking at her stature unless you see her climb at that altitudes.”

Telling us more about the young prodigy Yogesh lets us know how, “Sheetal trained for months on end at an altitude of 3000m-5500m at Darma and Vyas Valley bordering Pithoragarh, which put her endurance and technical agility to test,” adding, “Sheetal also went to Leh in the dead of winter for winter conditioning, training in deep snow conditions carrying 20 kg + loads, 8-9 hours daily.”

In 2018, the young mountaineer claimed the coveted title of being the Youngest Woman Mountaineer in the World to summit Mount Kanchenjunga in April 2018.

Despite achieving international feat the State government was oblivious to her laurels and did little to help her in any which way. Sheetal tried hard to win the attention of various national, international organizations, institutions, corporate homes in time to get funds together for her Everest Expedition 2019.

But all is well that ends well and sure enough today Uttarakhand has another Youth-Icon whom they will proudly call their own.

‘Plastic Express’ comes to Uttarakhand

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May 15, 2019

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Nestlé India,Gati Foundation,‘Plastic Express’,Uttarakhand — Nestlé India Collaborates with Gati Foundation launches ‘Plastic Express’ in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, Strengthening its commitment to plastic waste management, Nestlé India in collaboration with Gati Foundation, a Dehradun based environmental action and advocacy group launched a project in Dehradun and Mussoorie for effectively managing post-consumer plastic waste.

Recognizing the pertinent fact that there is need for an organized waste management system around the “MAGGI points” on the Dehradun- Mussoorie highway along with tourist points in Mussoorie, a mobile van named, Plastic Express will travel around these shops collecting MAGGI wrappers and other dry plastic waste from these outlets. The dry waste which is collected will be disposed responsibly by Nestlé India.

Working towards the ambition that no plastic waste should end up discarded in the environment, this year-long project aims at engaging around 200 ‘MAGGI Points’ in the hill towns for collecting and disposing plastic waste responsibly.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Sanjay Khajuria, Director – Corporate Affairs, Nestlé India said, “We believe that tackling the issue of plastic waste requires a collective approach. Through this project we will be working with stakeholders who will properly collect, segregate and dispose Multilayered plastics (MLP) to the end of its life. We are happy to collaborate with Gati Foundation to help us progress towards the journey of managing plastic waste effectively”.

Mr. Anoop Nautiyal, Founder, Gati Foundation said, “While this collaboration is a step towards reducing plastic waste by engaging with outlets, it is equally important to drive awareness among consumers for effective collection and segregation of used plastic packaging. We hope that we will be able to collectively make a significant difference in plastic waste management over the next few years”.

In an endeavour to engage with consumers and bring about a behavioural change about the need for disposing plastic waste responsibly, Nestlé India initiated the 2 Minute Safaai Ke Naam’ (2 minutes for cleanliness) in Dehradun and Mussoorie last year. In the second phase of this Project, Nestlé India is working with Mussoorie Nagar Palika Parishad (MNPP) and RECITY Network by implementing an integrated plastic waste management system in Mussoorie.

Fernweh Fair Travel: Bringing prosperity to the hills

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Lucky Singh/Tania Saili

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May 14, 2019

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eco tourism, tourist — Tourists enjoying the hospitality of Ferhweh Fair Travel

Chamoli, In the long list of stories that we have done on ‘Coming Home’ or ‘Reverse Migration’ we share with you the journey of a promising lady who has brought about considerable change in our home in the hills.

Poonam Rawat-Hahne, the brain behind Fernweh Fair Travel, Peach and Pear Home-stays has been working on making women self-dependent by bringing tourists from all over the globe to their doorsteps in the interior of Garhwal.

An army child, Poonam was a wanderer who loved to explore her surroundings. Bitten by the travel-bug not only did she travel each and every nook and corner of India, the young lady explored the globe, travelling and learning, qualities that she brings on board her enterprise too.

In the year 2005, Poonam and her family opened a woman shelter using their savings under Bachan Charitable Trust Samiti in the memory of her father Major B.S Rawat. Till date the Rawat family has not applied for any funds or grants but used their own savings. It took them another four years to develop the necessary infrastructure in the villages and more so, to convince families of young widows to let them be independent.

Cleanliness, litter, rubbish — Cleanliness drive put together by Fernweh Fair Travel

One such heart-wrenching incident of 2010 is still fresh in Poonam’s mind, as she narrates, “22 year old Sunita was the mother of two daughters and pregnant with the third child, when I first met her. She was timid, undecided and uncertain of what the future held for her,’ and, “it was her helplessness that got me thinking and I decided to do something for the women of the hills and make them independent within the security of their home.’

Today, “Sunita is a village hostess where our guests have a meal at her house and understand about life in a Himalayan village,” Poonam states proudly of her prodigy.

With humble beginnings, in 2015 Fernweh Fair Travel launched its first home-stay project, in Gopeshwar. Moving forward, Poonam collaborated with her brother and set up cottages in pristine environs of Chopta. For the past four years, Poonam Rawat-Hahne along with her mother, Tulsi Rawat and her hard-working crew has managed the running of these home-stays playing the perfect hostess to 1500 tourists, which won them the Top-5 Responsible Home-stays of India by Outlook Traveller, this year.

Poonam Rawat Hahne with her mother Tulsi Rawat

Poonam says, “the primary idea was to stop migration via empowerment, environment and education projects. Although we focus more on women empowerment but we are not limited.”

For now, Fernweh Fair Travel successfully runs sustainable, responsible tourism in Uttarakhand, with the dual-purpose of making villagers independent along with giving tourists an unforgettable flavour of the hills of Chamoli district.

The home-stays along with being eco-friendly have a lot to offer to the visitor. Out-door activities like trekking, soft adventure, village tour, handicraft making, festival celebration, Cooking, Organic farming Aqua-culture, culinary experience, yoga, photography, spiritual trips and wildlife sporting are just some of the activities that bring back repeat clients.

Their latest initiative is an Eco-retreat, permaculture farm under-construction in Mandal. At their Community Development Centre Poonam plans to use local raw material to produce organic products such as soaps, scrubs, pickles, jams, candles, local art, spices, organic produce to market nationally and internationally as well.

Shuttling between Germany and India, Poonam’s focus and dedication has won her laurels and mention in both national and international magazines. Her growing family of thirty-five at Fernweh Fair Travel is determined to bring prosperity to those who need it the most.

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