At the Session-end Celebration

The Senior Program session end celebration took place on the 29th of March at the Imperfecto Patio, sector 51. Everyone was dressed up in the Bollywood fashion style and it was a moment where all of us had a grand get-together. It was a moment where we enjoyed good food, dances and a general chilling out to mark the successful completion of the academic session.

Of course, the Bollywood theme brought out memories of the years gone by, what with the goggles, scarves and attire-some of us looked so different!

While everyone enjoyed their food and fellowship, there were the organizers who were working behind the scenes organizing stuff and all.

The expert committee identified the following as the most likely divas and gentlemen most likely to be selected for the next blockbuster Bollywood film, although this wouldn't mean that the rest won't get roles in the next, 'ahem' Hollywood Oscar-nominated films.

The Majestic Sarus Cranes of the Sultanpur National Park

Adult Sarus Crane at the Sultanpur National Park, Gurgaon

Sarus Cranes have been in the news lately with reference to an injured bird being rescued by a gentleman in Uttar Pradesh. The friendship then seemingly blossomed into a friendship that went against the law what with the bird being the state bird! However, stories apart, the Sarus Crane has been revered in India throughout the ages.

Adult and Juvenile Sarus Cranes soar overhead

Adult Sarus Crane at the Sultanpur National Park

These Majestic birds are known to be the world's largest flying birds, and surely they manage to fly quite well! Today when I visited the Sultanpur National Park I was in for a pleasant surprise as I was able to spot five of these birds along with what was once a chick a couple of years back and has now grown almost into an adult bird.

Spot the odd one out - in the company of a juvenile Painted Stork

Sarus Cranes seem to be comfortable in the company of other bird species.

Sarus Cranes are also known to be very faithful to their partners and excellent parents. I have been observing two adults nurturing a juvenile over a period of two or more years while on my visits to the Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon. I have also spotted pairs at different times at the Najafgarh Wetland and the Basai Wetland. 

Adult and Juvenile Sarus Cranes at the Sultanpur National Park

The birds feed on small molluscs, snails and insects as I have observed while watching them frequently. There was this one occasion when I saw the trio of birds which included the juvenile bird trying to swallow fist-sized snails that had strong shells. I can remember the sounds they were making even as they tried to gulp the snails.

Adult Sarus Crane waits for its Juvenile to catch up with it.

Standing at a height of 165 centimetres, Sarus Cranes known by their scientific name as Grus antigone are closely related to the Sandhill Crane and the Common Crane. While the adults sport a bright red head and neck. The juvenile birds however have a Cinamon brown fluff. The birds have a loud distinct call which can be heard over a large area. Sarus Cranes can be spotted in the vicinity of wetlands, lakes, marshes and even agricultural land.

Solitary Sarus Crane at the Sultanpur National Park.

It is amazing to see these huge birds take to the air, they are rather like huge planes taking off on full thrust. What is equally amazing is to see them land. Apparently slowing down to land is a major task for these large birds! I was able to capture both the launch and the landings of these birds, some of which I am sharing below.

Flaring out wings for a landing.

An adult Sarus Crane landing on a dime!

A running take-off

'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller is a powerful comment on the polarization and intolerance that exists in the world even today!

The Crucible written by Arthur Miller in 1953, and based on the Salem Witch trials continues to be relevant in today's context, especially in times when polarization is a counter to globalization. We are living, in a world that is becoming more and more divided, intolerant, and based on exclusion rather than inclusion. It wouldn't be wrong to state that history repeats itself. McCarthyism or the 'Red Scare' syndrome was based on hunting disloyal citizens, those with leanings in favour of the Communist school of thought based on the premise that they were working against the state and were more likely to be traitors and spies working for the Soviet Union. If you remember, the early fifties saw a race between USSR and USA to place the first satellite in space and for that effect the first man in space. USSR trumped the space race in many ways. Laika was the first living being to have travelled to space, the first satellite (Sputnik) was Soviet, and the first man in space was a Cosmonaut (Yuri Gagarin) and not an Astronaut. The successes of the Soviet Space program dealt a major blow to the aspirations and ambitions of the United States of America and it was in this context that a program of witch-hunting took place (probably) to save face. People who were accused of being Communists, or supporters of Communism had to undergo a loyalty trial to prove that they were not a member of the Communist Party. It was, of course, at the height of the Cold War when all those who were suspected of being subversive were working in favour of the Soviet Union. In India, the British made use of the Sedition act to counter nationalism.

Interestingly, the novel, Code to Zero by Ken Follet is set in the year 1958 when America was about to launch its first satellite in a desperate attempt to match the Soviet Sputnik and regain the lead in the space race. The novel describes the attempt by three Soviet turned characters, Elspeth, Anthony and Theo to sabotage the Jupiter Rockets space mission to launch a satellite into the Earth's orbit. Follet's novel is set in the period of McCarthyism when Soviet Spies were hunted and people had to prove their loyalty to the country. While the novel suggests the existence of disruptive forces, it also questions the system's ability to detect the actual spies, disruptive agents who exist under the garb of true patriots working for the CIA, in the case of Anthony and Elspeth who works for the Space mission. In many ways, the novel suggests the very failure of McCarthyism in its objective of identifying and punishing disruptive elements. 

Ulterior motives fuel Witch hunting

Arthur Miller was frustrated by the actions of US Senator Joseph McCarthy and the eventual spread of McCarthyism, an era of persecution, political repression, and false accusations of espionage by Soviet spies, most of which were excuses to put down dissent, rivalry competition and in short to take personal revenge on people who did not fall in line with one's personal views. In the Crucible, Giles Corey states, "If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property- that's law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbours for their land!"-Act 3 page 87 A lot of the trials taking place in the play and the United States at that time were based on greed, and ulterior motives. In the Crucible, well-meaning people were accused of witchcraft so that their land could be grabbed by greedy neighbors.

Theocracy leads to Persecution

The fear of losing power is also a major reason behind persecution and those in power would do anything in order to remain in control. McCarthyism in America and the Salem Witch hunts were driven by the fear of losing authority, loss of face, loss of dignity, and being proved wrong. One wouldn't even think of backtracking on one's errors of judgment even if it led to a gross miscarriage of justice. Theocracy deals with dictatorial governance that is supposedly based on divine guidance and therefore sacrosanct. Who would dare to mock divinity and thus invite eternal damnation? However, theocracy rules when most of the people are less educated and easily misled by those who might profess a superior education and thus are more enlightened. The parallel can be seen in the context of the period when the Salem Witch trials took place and perhaps even in the 50s when people in America could be easily misled by propaganda techniques. Unfortunately, the so-called upholders of the faith cannot be seen wavering in their resolve to bring the unrighteous to task as it would expose their hypocrisy and vulnerability before the uninitiated and would result in an uprising. In the trial that takes place in the fourth act of the play, Governor Danforth states, "I will not receive a single plea for pardon or postponement...Twelve are already executed; the names of these seven are given out, and the village expects to see them die this morning. Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now. While I speak God's law, I will not crack its voice with whimpering...Now draw yourselves up like men and help me, as you are bound by Heaven to do." - Act 4 page 113  In other words, Danforth is aware that he had made an error of judgement, that he has sent twelve innocent people to the gallows and that he will not rescind his orders for the remaining seven. He further invokes 'Heaven' and 'God's Law' to prevent dissent and dares the people of Salem to object to his decisions. Puritanism, conservatism, Calvinism and strict obedience are all fear-induced means to drive subservience and followership. They induce obedience and conformity through superstitious beliefs, dead rituals, and archaic beliefs.

Mass Hysteria is driven by a superstitious fear of eternal damnation

In today's more enlightened society, FOMO might drive trends. One jumps into the bandwagon so that one doesn't appear different or odd. One wants to conform to accepted trends as the desire for acceptance induces a sense of security in a rather insecure world. There is safety in numbers, therefore do as the others do! Arthur Miller's play The Crucible describes Mass Hysteria in great detail. One of my favorite descriptions can be found in the third act of the play during the Court scene where Mary Warren claims that she "thought she saw spirits" and that she "heard the other girls screaming" and that what was "only sport in the beginning" became something else. Abigail, the clever one then plays her cards by whipping up hysteria by claiming that "A wind, a cold wind has come." her eyes falling on Mary Warren. While Proctor claims the girls are all pretending, Mercy Lewis wonders if Mary might be sending the "shadow" on her. This melodrama ends up with Mary Warren backtracking on her deposition later in the court. Later during the court proceedings, Abigail acts as if she can see a bird on the beam behind the rafter. The rest of the girls jump onto the bandwagon and claim that they too can see a bird. The girls start screaming rather hysterically as if they have been bewitched, victims of witchcraft attacked by an evil creature, a bird sent by Marry Warren to kill all of them. Frightened by an almost uncontrollable situation, Danforth asks Marry Warren if she has "compacted with the Devil". The whole episode ends up in chaos with all the girls running helter-skelter ultimately and conveniently leaving the courthouse with only Marry Warren to face the music. Mass hysteria can be seen as a powerful tool for swaying public opinion, a form of Mass-hypnosis induced state of mind which can be conveniently used by skilled orators, and actors to sway mob sentiment and send them on a spree of irrational madness.

The righteous need to be silenced lest they should topple the rulers!

Unfortunately in this chaotic world of induced confusion, those who are rational, awake and alert need to be silenced forever since they pose a serious threat to the existing system. Dissent is anti-establishment and harmful therefore people like John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Giles Corey need to be executed. John Proctor would rather hand to death than live a life of falsehood. The same can be said of Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey. They would rather die with their dignity intact than accept a life of falsehood by accepting that they had covenanted with the Devil.

It would be apt to claim that Arthur Miller's The Crucible is driven by a sense of frustration and disgust towards a system of governance that is intended to be divisive, dictatorial, irrational, biased and Puritanical, reminiscent of the age of the Spanish Inquisition. Strangely enough, witch hunting, kangaroo courts, mob lynching, vigilantism and ostracization can seen thriving even today, in the age of technology and Democracy! Nothing, it seems, has really changed! History repeats itself and what took place in 1692 has parallels in the McCarthyism of 1950 and the intolerance and polarization that exists in the world today. Persecution, false accusations and the madness of superstition flourish in the world today, perhaps, fanned by social media, fake news and misinformation.

Last but not least, it would be pertinent to reiterate how Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible is indeed a comment on the polarization that exists in the world today. You are either with 'US' or you are not. If you don't belong to 'Us', then you belong to the 'Others' and thus are not entitled to the privileges of belonging to 'Us'! The 'Others' are the misfits, outcasts, rebels and doomed ones while the 'Us' are the rewarded ones, those who are rewarded for toeing the line, for conforming and falling in line.

References have been taken from - 

1.Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New Delhi: Penguin Random House, 2015.

2. Follet, Ken: Code To Zero. London : Pan Macmillan, 2012

Anser indicus, The Bar-headed Geese, return to the Basai Wetland in Gurgaon

Bar-headed Geese congregate in large numbers.

Bar-headed Geese continue to surprise us with their presence at the now-almost-dead wetland, once known as the Basai Wetland in Gurgaon. Once a vast expanse of marshes and shallow waters, the wetland home to indigenous fish species and freshwater turtles now presents a sorry figure. However, each time I visit this ever-shrinking biodiversity hotspot I am surprised by what I spot. 

Bar-headed Geese are quite gregarious.

This time when I visited the Basai Wetland in the month of March, I was surprised to see one of the largest flocks of Bar-headed Geese that I have ever seen to date. What is more, I could photograph them from quite close without disturbing them.

Some of the birds keep a watchful eye while others forage for food.

The best thing was that I was able to observe their activities very closely. Anser indicus or Bar-headed Geese live in close-knit families and are led by a leader who is always alert, looking for trouble. These birds have two distinct calls of warning. One is for danger on land and the other is a signal for the whole flock to take off. 

Ever alert, Bar-headed Geese look at the camera with suspicion.

Anser indicus are important migratory birds that have been studied extensively for their ability to fly at great heights in the absence of adequate levels of Oxygen. They are also studied for their ability to navigate over large distances, landing at the exact spot thousands of miles away from their nesting grounds. It is no wonder that these amazing birds keep visiting the Basai Wetland in Gurgaon year after year even though it is fast disappearing into a concrete jungle, because they have been programmed to reach their destinations. 

Bar-headed Geese can be seen in large numbers at the Basai Wetland

Bar-headed Geese follow important way-points or landmarks on their long flights. These waypoints are important landmarks, probably more so as Geographical features that are unique and distinct in nature. 

These birds were photographed at the Najafgarh Wetland

The Basai Wetland was once a pristine wetland covered with clean water spread over acres of land. Later on, it became a dumping ground for toxic effluents and even a convenient outlet for sewage flowing from a canal. At one time the stink from the sewage was so bad that one couldn't stand spending even a few minutes in the area. Today, the toxic effluents and the sewage have dried up leaving a toxic substrate on which these birds perch and settle. An acquaintance once commented on how harmful the water at the Basai wetland could be even for the Bar-headed Geese! I wonder why people are ready to buy flats in highrise buildings knowing well how the Basai Wetland had once become a dumping ground for sewage and toxic effluents. 

Bar-headed Geese - A Metaphor for Existence

When disaster strikes, nature claims its own! Najafgarh Lake

Bar-headed Geese are a metaphor for existence, which is becoming more true today than ever! As a wildlife photography enthusiast, I have been fascinated by Bar-headed Geese flying in from Tibet, Central Asia, and Mongolia to the wetlands in Northern India. I have been photographing these birds for the past few years in some f the biodiversity hotspots in Gurgaon, hotspots that are fading away due to developmental activities. The first major Biodiversity hotspot is the Basai wetland which has now been swallowed by apartment complexes, bisected by a flyover that cuts across it, and a waste recycling plant at one end of the wetland. What is remarkable is that each year, in spite of the shrinking habitat, Bar-headed Geese continue to land on the ever-shrinking wetland. I often wonder if when this wetland is completely reclaimed by flats, these birds will land on their terraces and roofs and then if they will loot for weeds and succulent roots on the roofs. The photographs I am sharing in this post were taken this year in the month of March.

Bar-headed Geese adjust to the ever-shrinking Basai Wetland

The second Biodiversity hotspot that I have focused on is the Najafgarh Lake bordering the Chandu-Budhera village in Gurgaon. This area is again a very important biodiversity hotspot. The breaking of the banks of the Sahibi river led to the flooding of the entire area forcing people to abandon farms, homes and shops. It was indeed an environmental disaster waiting to happen, especially because of the lack of planning and improper drainage systems. The area turned out to be a haven for migratory birds like Bar-headed Geese. I have also spotted gulls in the area along with the usual Ducks. My second set of photographs has been taken from the Najafgarh Lake bordering the Chandu-Budhera village area. They were taken this year in the months of January and March.

Bar-headed Geese at the Najafgarh Lake - A metaphor for hope?

Bar-headed Geese are a metaphor for survival because their migration is an indicator that all is well. However, when they do stop arriving at their wintering spots in Gurgaon and other spots in the plains of Northern India, it will be indicative of the forthcoming environmental crisis. First and foremost, the migration of Bar-headed Geese depends on ideal climactic conditions, the presence of food, biodiversity hotspots on their flight paths, weather patterns, and many other factors. A disruption of all of these factors will disrupt the migratory patterns of birds that winter in the plains of Northern India.

Bar-headed Geese at the Basai Wetland, will there be a tomorrow?

It was indeed a surprise to see so many Bar-headed Geese so late in the year, both at the Basai Wetland and the Najafgarh Lake. The rising sun lent a warm tone to the whole scene at the Basai Wetland, and I couldn't help but marvel at the resilience of nature fighting back against the destruction of wetlands and biodiversity hotspots by us humans.

Bar-headed Geese spotted at the Basai Wetland in March 2023

The beauty of these birds lies in their sleek, aerodynamic shape, meant for long-distance flight. Don't be misled by their timid behaviour, because these birds are known to be the highest-flying birds in the world. Their stamina in flight is perhaps supported by the powerful muscles that drive their wings. These marvels of nature are also the subject of studies by Ornithologists and Environmentalists throughout the world. Their migration patterns, navigational skills and ability to fly at great altitudes where there is little Oxygen to breathe have all been a matter of speculation. Bar-headed Geese are known for their remarkable tolerance to hypoxic conditions.

Bar-headed Geese take to the air at the Najafgarh Lake

The Basai Wetland continues to spring surprises, especially in its final moments. I have almost stopped visiting it because very little of it really remains after the construction of a flyover, a waste disposal plant and the final stages of the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. However, on the 4th of March, while on the way to the Najafgarh Wetland I decided, on a whim to visit the Basai Wetland. It was, perhaps, the right decision because when I visited it, I was able to spot a sizeable number of Bar-headed Geese, warming up in the morning sun.

Bar-headed Goose stretching a wing at the Basai Wetland

Stretching a wing at the Basai Wetland