Travel

From Poaching to Conservation: Meet the Bravehearts of Manas National Park

Manas National Park in Assam is home to among the most beautiful and last remaining natural tropical evergreen forests in India. It is home to the Asian Elephant, the Royal Bengal tiger and the Great Indian Rhinoceros.

The Manas river, from where the National park takes its name, originates from Bhutan and enters Assam to merge with the wilful Brahmaputra. It crisscrosses the thick vegetation that is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The Manas National Park spread across the borders of India and Bhutan had been affected by heavy poaching and logging until recently. It had been woefully described as being ‘A Heritage in Danger’. Thankfully, this is a tale of the past. Conservation efforts adopted in the past decade have changed the Jungle’s fortunes.

What is remarkable about the park, however, is that the conservation efforts have mostly been adopted and undertaken by people with a chequered past from local communities.

This serene and tranquil land had witnessed militancy and violent aggression for over 6 decades. It was only with the establishment of the Bodo Territorial Region in 2003 that some semblance of normalcy returned.

Despite the Bodo Accord being signed, there was a long way to go. Community development and livelihood creation were essential. With this in mind, the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society was born. They initiated a small but quiet movement. They began working with poachers to train them to become the guardians and protectors of Manas National Park. The nature-loving Bodos started working towards conserving of the Manas National Park.

Today, the eastern range of the Manas National Park is home to poachers turned protectors who patrol the forest and help conserve it.

During my week-long trip to Assam, I was privileged to meet the members of the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society (MMES)who spearheaded the conservation work.

Meeting our Bravehearts: Poachers turned Protectors

After a two hour long drive from Barangbari, the other end of Manas National Park, my co-bloggers and I reached Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society’s centre. Savouring tekeli pitha, a local delicacy made of rice flour, jaggery and sesame seeds, biscuits and lal cha, we sat down for a conversation.

My eyes were immediately drawn to Mr. Buddhiswar Boro. My long stare prompted him to say with a smile, “Yes, it’s not there” and before I could apologize for my rudeness he waved me off. He shared, “I started hunting when I was 14 years old. Nobody told me it was wrong. We had a free hand in the forest and I was very successful in hunting. With our guns, we felt invincible. Until of course, a wild boar attacked me and I was grievously injured. I lost my arm and my livelihood.”

Mr. Hemanto Basumatary added, “I must have killed at least 50 elephants. Their tusks were valuable and sold for as much as Rs. 3000 per kilo. I was given contracts from Indians and foreigners to go on week-long expeditions. I, too, was usually successful.”

“People ask me am I ashamed that I was responsible for the death of so many animals? Yes, of course, I am but they should realize that Bodoland at that time was going through a struggle. We did not have money to eat. We did whatever we could to survive. Today, I am proud to protect the forest instead of harming it.”

Everybody spoke matter of factly; their words betrayed no emotions. But as they started speaking about the conservation efforts, their faces beamed with pride.

How Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society’s centre brought about change?

Awareness campaigns and door to door visits; community meetings and working with the families was key to their success. With limited resources in hand, they managed to convince poachers to give their weapons up.

Our bravehearts knew the forest; it was their second home. They were instrumental in carrying out detailed surveys, creating maps and planning the eco-tourism initiatives. They were responsible for patrolling and keeping unscrupulous people away from Manas National Park.

“What was more profitable? Poaching or conservation”, someone asked.

“When we were poaching, we were endangering the environment, harming animals and earning money. Today, we may earn less but at least we have dignity and peace of mind. We are creating a better world for ourselves and our children.”, came the response.

Manas National Park: Then and Now

Manas National Park which had a declining rhino and elephant population was commended for its efforts in conservation in 2011. According to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Manas National Park protects 22 scheduled species of flora and fauna. It is a national park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam. In the Tiger Census of 2017, Manas National Park had doubled its population and had at least 30 tigers.

With its initial efforts being successful, MMES started expanding its work. Today, MMES has over 11 protection camps. Infrastructure development was important to ensure conservation. MMES started working with the government to build a network of roads.

MMES protects 250 sq. km. of the forest from poachers and loggers. It has helped rehabilitate many poachers and is paying them a fixed salary to protect the forests

Living in the periphery of the forest is not easy. There have been instances of elephant herds going wild and destroying property and crops. MMES also works with these people to help them rebuild their lives.

A delicate balance has to be maintained between the quest for livelihood and conservation. The Bodos are perhaps the best suited to manage this balance. The community came together to start the Manas Maozigendri Jungle Camp. The project employees 31 locals for the ecotourism project.

The work undertaken by the MMES is extraordinary. With their efforts and advocacy, poachers laid down their guns to become protectors, the local community rallied behind them and the government supported their initiative.

The feeling of fulfillment and joy was evident as we spoke to Mr. Kalen, Mr. Rustom, Mr. Pranjit and others about their work. Community-led efforts to protect natural resources is essential and has been recognized by the Constitution of India in the Forest Rights Act 2006. This has been adopted remarkably well by Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society to transform the National Park and the lives of those are dependent on it.

10 reasons why Holiday Inn Express is perfect for the new age traveller

Comfort, convenience and care are what we all seek when traveling, be it for business or for leisure. Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi. Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi is the perfect union of these qualities.

Need more reasons to stay at Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi? We have 10 for you!

Made for the modern Indian traveler

A smooth check-in which takes less than two minutes, a comfortable bed to help you relax after a long day at work, home-style tiffin meals (more about that later) and all the amenities that you look for a hassle-free stay. Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi is perfect for the modern Indian traveler.

A warm welcome

The staff at Holiday Inn Express ensure that every guest receives a warm welcome. The room is prepped with the ideal temperature right before you check in and you are welcomed with a personalized note from the General Manager. A perfect start for a fabulous stay.

Holiday Inn Express essentials

Holiday Inn Express believes that a seasoned traveler loves to pack minimally. They have made provisions for luxurious bath products to start your day on a great note. The room is equipped with a hairdryer, tea and coffee maker and other amenities that you will need.

Recharge and Rejuvenate

Sink into the comfortable mattress after a long day of travel or work or leaf through a magazine after a scrumptious meal; Holiday Inn Express offers a plush bed to help you recharge and rejuvenate.

Workspace

Need printouts or a desktop to prep for a meeting? How about lightning speed internet and a multipurpose phone to listen to some music or for your morning wake up call? Holiday Inn Express has it all.

Delicious and convenient meals

Meal portions sometimes are so generous that you just cannot finish it off. All of us hate wasting food and Holiday Inn Express gets that. They have delicious single portion meal options to suit all taste buds.

A hearty breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi wants you to enjoy yourself. A hearty continental and Indian breakfast of piping hot vadas, chocolate croissants (a personal favorite), egg and mayo sandwiches, fresh fruits and so many other things. You wouldn’t know where to start.

A great concept that all Holiday Inn Express hotels offer is the Grab N Go option. Need to leave early in the morning for that meeting? Simply grab your breakfast and some coffee and be on your way for that important meeting. They have everything ready for you at 6 am onwards.

It’s all in the details

You know that you are staying in a fabulous place when everybody works towards making your stay memorable. It’s the little details that bring delight and joy while traveling. From cute origami towel art to soft and firm pillows; every aspect of their rooms is thoughtfully curated.

A well-equipped gym and a do it yourself laundromat with television to entertain you are other facilities made available for you at Holiday Inn Express.

Hotel with a heart

Beginning with small steps, Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi has begun to envision a larger goal for environmental conservation.

They have replaced single-use toiletries with dispensers that can be used by several guests thus reducing their plastic waste.

Guests are encouraged to reuse their towels during their visit to help save water. Things like these go a long way in protecting the environment.

Unwind and Relax at Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi

Rereading your favorite book, enjoying an afternoon siesta after a home-style tiffin and exploring historical places in a new city; sometimes you just feel like getting away from the maddening crowd.

The ambiance is perfect for a quick meeting or simply to enjoy a leisurely meal. Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi is the perfect place to spend your sultry summer weekend.

Things to keep in mind while travelling to Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi:

The Holiday Inn Express property is tucked in a silent corner from the hustle and bustle of the Highway. The night lights can make a new traveler confused as to its exact location. The management told us that they were in the process of putting up a larger board to direct and welcome guests from the highway.
The developing IT hub of Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park is very close to Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi
The airport located 22 kms away is well connected by the Wakad Bus Rapid Transport corridor with comfortable buses plying the distance all day.
There are several restaurants and eateries for you to dine out if you want to try out different cuisines.
Xion mall, located a short walk away from the hotel offers a range of shopping and entertainment destination perfect for an evening outing.

Holiday Inn Express Hinjewadi says, “We have everything you need in a hotel and nothing you don’t” and they definitely live up to it. When are you travelling to Holiday Inn Express?

National Museum of Indian Cinema

Hi everybody,

There’s a new museum in town and I was amongst the privileged few who got to visit the National Museum of Indian Cinema at Peddar road before it was open to the public. If I have to sum up the visit in a single sentence I would say, “The museum transports you back in time to a magical world where cinema was transforming India through visual storytelling”.

For a detailed post, do read on 🙂

Let’s dive into the history of Indian cinema

India has a strong tradition of storytelling present in every community. Legends and mythological tales have been passed on through oral and written stories. The birth of motion-pictures or cinema in the late 19th-century revolutionized the art of storytelling. We fell in love with the style of drama, script, music, and dance. Today, India stands first in terms of annual film output with as many as 1600 cinemas being produces in multiple languages.

Beginning in the early 20th century, Indian Cinema has reached great heights over the years. Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood is the largest with Tamil and Telugu cinema not far behind. Cinema in other local languages like Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali and others too have contributed to its richness.

The National Museum of Indian Cinema which opened in Mumbai earlier this January is an attempt to showcase the rich heritage.

The New Museum Building

The National Museum of Indian Cinema at Mumbai is housed in two buildings; the Gulshan Mahal and the New Museum building. We visited the New Museum building first. There are 4 levels in the museum and each level has a specific theme. Let’s explore the 4 levels together.

Level 1 of the National Museum of Indian Cinema

Level 1 has interestingly been dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and the influence he had on Indian cinema which until the 1930s had exclusively limited itself to depicting and glorifying mythology.

His ideas and philosophy had a great impact on encouraging cinema around the freedom struggle during the 1940s. It further influenced neorealism in Indian cinema that was to develop in the 1950s. There is a statue of the Mahatma sitting and watching Ram Rajya, directed by Vijay Bhatt in 1943. It is claimed that this was the only film he had seen, in parts.

The hall also makes mention of an interesting visit of the Mahatma with Charlie Chaplin while in London in 1931. Many believe that that this meet inspired his thinking when he went on to produce films like Modern Times and The Great Dictator. How true is it? We may never know.

Level 2 of the National Museum of Indian Cinema

Level 2 which is Children’s Film Studio is the interactive section of the museum. We can don a director’s hat or learn the basics of production. There are so many options to choose from!

In this level, you can get acquainted with the technology and science involved in the process of film making. Hands-on learning about lighting, sound, editing, animation, special effects, and other technical processes makes this a very interesting place.

Can you spot me in the photo below? They have a number of interesting photo-ops and props that children and adults can play with.

Level 3 of the National Museum of Indian Cinema

From working on the technical aspects of cinema, one begins to understand that cinema is a creative technological production of the human imagination.

Level 3 showcases how technology and creativity both played an important role in Indian cinema.

It traces the history of Indian cinema. Beginning with the Lumiere brothers showcasing their invention of motion pictures in 1896, we are taken back to the time when Dadasaheb Phalke was inspired to produce Raja Harishchandra. This was India’s first feature-length silent film and premiered in 1913 in Mumbai.

The history of lighting, choreography, editing and the various ways in which Indian filmmakers used technology to produce cinema is introduced.

The tilted camera shots used by Shantaram and the bounce light effect mastered by Subrata Mitra are highlighted. The transition of cinema from the silent era to the sound era with Ardeshir Irani’s film Alam Ara in 1931.

Level 4 of the National Museum of Indian Cinema

The last and final level is dedicated to the diversity of Indian cinema and how it has grown over the last 100 years. The digital age has made cinema more accessible to the population across the country.

The Gulshan Mahal

The Gulshan Mahal is a 19th-century bungalow which was first owned by Peerbhoy Khalakdina. It is now an ASI Grade 11 Heritage structure.

We visited The Gulshan Mahal after going to the new museum building. However, we recommend you begin your tour here.

The Gulshan Mahal takes you back a hundred years. It is divided into the following nine sections:

The Origin of Cinema
Cinema Comes to India
Indian Silent Film
The advent of Sound
The Studio Era
The Impact of World War II
Creative Resonance
New-Wave and beyond
Regional Cinema

The Gulshan Mahal houses popular posters, artifacts, film clips and multimedia kiosks. It also has a 30-seater mini theatre.

Last words on the National Museum of Indian Cinema

Cinema is a creative technological production of the human imagination. The early 20th century had seen nascent developments in technology related to film-making. This was a time when directors and the whole movie making team brought a lot of innovation to bring about special effects. Budget constraints further demanded great creativity from actors, choreography and editor.

Quick tips on visiting the National Museum of Indian Cinema

The National Museum of Indian Cinema is partly housed in the 19th-century heritage building of Gulshan Mahal with the interactive galleries located in the New Museum Building at the Film Division complex.
It is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 11 a.m and 6 p.m.
Indian nationals have to pay a nominal entry fee of Rs. 20. Students with valid ID cards and children get a free entry.
Do not miss the film screening that runs every day from 4 p.m to 5 p.m in the ground floor of the museum.
We recommend that you visit the Gulshan Mahal first and then head to the New Museum Building

The Life of a Poker Player with Nikita Luther and Adda52

Hi everybody,

I hope you enjoyed reading my first post on Deltin Poker Tournament by Adda52 at Goa. Today, we are going to take a deep dive into the life of a poker player Nikita Luther. Before I tell you all that we spoke about, let’s get to know her better!

About Nikita Luther

Nikita Luther created history by winning a gold bracelet at The World Series of Poker (WSOP), Las Vegas this year. She beat a field of 1032 players and made the country proud by winning a title that many in the poker industry regard as an equivalent of “Poker’s Olympic Gold”. She is India’s no.1 female Poker player and the 23rd woman in history (in 48 years of the WSOP) to hold a WSOP Bracelet.

Her stellar talent for the mind game has achieved great laurels for her game with a cumulative of USD $218,554 tournament earnings in the past 2 years. Nikita is the only woman to have won a gold in 2018 from 123,000 entries, from 88+ countries in WSOP, Las Vegas.

The life of a professional poker player by Nikita Luther

Nikita represents India’s largest Poker website Adda52.com and is working towards inspiring, guiding and encouraging Indian woman to take up professional poker.

She says, “I first started playing free online poker at college to understand the game. I kept learning new things, watching videos and mastering the game. I began my foray in the world of online poker with small amounts of money”

Nikita is a role model for many and she is passionate about transforming people’s perception about the game. She wants to break the myths around poker and prove that it is not a game of chance but a game of skill which involves intricate concepts of mathematics, probability, game theory, strategy and psychology.

“I may not have a regular 9 to 5 job but I work hard on my game. I exercise, eat right and meditate to improve my focus. Before playing any game, it is important for me to be in the right state of mind. Poker requires great skill and concentration”.

Would you like to know more about Nikita’s journey? Watch this video!

Hope you enjoyed reading both my posts on poker and Adda52. Have any questions? Feel free to comment below 🙂

In Conversation With Adda52 Pro Poker Players

Beginning with their humble origins in medieval China, the playing cards have travelled across the globe in the over 1000 years of its history. Poker is a popular card game that is played with great interest across all age groups. However, among the plethora of card games in India, poker doesn’t feature as a popular one. The sport has been riddled with misconceptions and is unfortunately viewed as a game of pure luck. That is indeed true, but only for those who lack the knowledge and intensity required to play the game. On the contrary, the game requires a great deal of patience, perseverance and analytical thinking to play it.

The stigma associated with poker is slowly changing with legitimate online portals like Adda52 popularizing and bringing to light the knack and finesse required to play the game. Adda52 provides a safe and secure platform where one can enjoy playing poker with real money.

We recently had an opportunity to interact with the co-founder of Adda52, Mr Mohit Agarwal and members of India’s first set of pro poker players – Nikita Luther, Kunal Patni and Minisha Lamba – to know more about poker.

Nikita stressed on the fact that poker is “not a game of chance, it is a game of skill.”

Mohit went on to tell us how “Online poker is a great equalizer. It is easily accessible and you can begin with free games, improve your skills and then move on to the paid games where you can begin with 0.50p. Adda52 provides a safe and secure platform for an amazing poker experience online.”

Despite poker being a gender-neutral game, Mohit rued that, “the ratio of men and women poker players is 95:5. I hope that this changes soon. Adda52 has two pro female poker players and we believe they can inspire others to take up this sport.”

In a candid conversation, Nikita revealed, “people struggle with it (her being a professional poker player) initially. But I am very open about it. Poker isn’t a gendered game. It is a mind sport. I practice meditation and yoga. I mentally prepare myself for every game.”

Stressing on poker requiring the same rigour and tenacity of other mainstream sports, Kunal said, “I have a regular routine like everybody else. I put in many hours of practice, I exercise and eat right. Being a mind sport, poker is comparable to chess. It is an easy game to learn but a difficult one to master”

“It is a mental game that requires stamina and focus,” Minissha added.

Discussing about the stigmas associated with the game, Kunal said, “Poker has a very clandestine image with the dark sunglasses and hoodies most poker players sport. What people fail to realize is that these are practical measures taken by every player. A slight eye movement can tip the other player off and our sunglasses help to conceal that. The hoodies are merely worn to protect us from the cold especially since tournaments can go on for hours.”

Minissha laughs, “I wear an Eskimo-like hoodie during all my poker games. It gets so cold!”

An important point to note that Adda52 strictly adheres to crucial aspects of legality, integrity, user rights and responsible gaming with the prize money being liable to 30% tax. It was a fun conversation with the Adda52 pro team. I had the opportunity to attend the live tournament, too. Stay tuned for my next post!

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