Learning ropes : My Nani's(P.B.U.H.) guide to making sun hemp rope

…………………Mahatma Gandhi strongly pleaded for decentralization of economic and political power through the organization of Village Panchayats. He was of the definite view that Panchayat system in India, if worked on scientific lines, could not only build up the social and economic strength of the countryside but also strengthen the forces of national defence against the risk of foreign invasion.He always wanted the villages to be a self sufficient units and enterprise such as below made it so


(Swarna bed in dusk and iron bridge on Swarna)

(Dry Swarna bed and Swarna in full aftermath of rains)

Place : Beautiful Swarna river near Belonwala :( 30°25’6”N 77°56’33”E)
Live Demonstration : A.D.1982 or so, it was time when Asiad happened and we shifted to Parkash nagar.
Participants : 1)Mighty Nani and 2)skinny me.
Raw material description :
Hemp is a versatile plant that has been cultivated for a variety of uses. Hemp fiber is known for its strength and natural resistance, hemp is most commonly used for making shoes, canvas, bags and rope.
Process Description:
- Dip the green branches of sun hemp during summers in the Swarna river bed during peak of summers when water remains a trickle.
- Secure them tightly by boulders and stones so they do not rush away during monsoon gut slought, This is to be secured as it is for 3-6 months till the time outer coating is pulped , rotten and ready to be peeled off with smallest of nudge.
- Take out the branches one fine summer afternoon with its warmth and before the sunlight starts fading and you start shivering under thin cotton dress you are wearing.
- With all your might and like a expert washer man beat continuously the pulpy, gooey outer coating on some nearby rock around the river bed till time sun fiber comes out all bright and shining.
- Separate the hemp fibers or unwind the hemp yarn and cut into lengths approximately twice as long as the desired length of the rope. Divide the bundle in two, holding half the fibers in your left hand and half the fibers in your right. Twist each bundle clockwise until the cord you are creating begins to kink and loop. Twist the two cords together, wrapping one over the other in a counterclockwise motion, to form a rope.

My Nani was one strong lady and as befalls all rural women apart from farm work most of all other chores were their domain and she made decent job of everything running the rural household efficiently, era was of saving and getting value out of last penny and thus old folks lived in Belonwala and other parts of India.They toiled so our future be made..hats off to them!!!

Recommended author : Amitav Ghosh

Just yesterday finished ‘River of smoke’ second novel in triology as put out by Amitav Ghosh first one was ‘Sea of poppies’.I started appreciating Ghosh when by chance at Bag dogra airport I happened to lay hand on ‘The Glass palace’ and was hooked to the novel of epic proportions, another flight another day and caught hold of ‘The Hungary tide’ and bond was sealed.

I was just wondering why and how this fixation for Ghosh’s novels is coming about and as I read further I can deciper…. the well researched works are generally spanning generations includes geographies I can identify with be it opium factory of Hazipur or boatmen of sunderbans and geograhies which hold mysteries for me like Burma(Myanmar) or for that matter Mauritius, it takes me back second world war also further down to opium wars. It gives a peep how history might have been shaped by incidences as innocent as child’s laugh and languages shaped by tower of babel the new lands of hope places like Mauritius or Canton became.seamless flow, mastery of language makes Ghosh celebrated award winning author, novels are never taxing to anypart of body including the brain novels are like Golden era of epic movies and Ghosh is masterful like directors of yore..gurudutt and Mehboob revisited.

I look forward to concluding part of IBIS triology now and few others so far not added…………. you guys know now what to gift me on my birthday!!!

Once in a Blue Moon

While drinking in a bar with friends has its own zing, the burden on the wallet is another thing. Finally, Patio has come to our rescue. Located right next to my office, it's perfect not only on the money but also on the time. If we leave at 4ish from the office, we are able to be done in an hour and be home on time as well. You can buy 2 glasses of beer and one plate of french fries for $6. That's unbeatable. So we are visiting it frequently.


Lately, we have also been indulging in the Belgian style beer, Blue Moon. With orange slices adding sweet taste to it, it has changed my perception of beer and I am finally off whiskey.




Baby preferring blue moon to milk


Blue moon also keeping white house running
[Images copied from various sources]