Blogs

Photo by Nikolai Kozakov Thin Ice The Changing Climate of Sakha Republic “A letter arrived from a friend in Yakutsk, saying it’s very warm, only minus 5 degrees. No snow has fallen,” it read. I asked other Yakut friends if they remember such warmth at the end of October. They all answered in unison, “No.” Last year at this time, it was minus 20 degrees. All regions, including Yakutsk, have become warmer. The same is true even in the inland areas covered with permafrost. The onset of the first cold was normal. Frost arrived in September, but by early October, temperatures rose. Puddles spread everywhere, and snow almost disappeared. Unprecedented […]

Thoreau’s Simple Life in 1845: Above Image. “And pray what more can a reasonable man desire, in peaceful times, in ordinary noons, than a sufficient number of ears of green-sweet corn boiled, with the addition of salt.” – Henry David Thoreau Thoreau reminisces about his solitary life for two years at Walden Pond in Massachusetts in his memoir “Walden.” He lived in a cabin he built himself, relying on the surrounding land and nature for sustenance. While many of us today may not opt to live off the grid in such a manner… Why is it challenging to lead a simple life in today’s suburban or urban environments? Let’s recall […]

“Peace Pilgrim” The Life of Mildred Norman Mildred Norman believed that people are inherently good and only need a little nudge to act. She chose her own path to literally provide that push. On New Year’s Day in 1953, the traditional Rose Parade was underway in Pasadena. The streets were filled with flower-decorated floats, fairy-tale-like carriages, luxurious Porsche cars, and more. Giant American flags fluttered in the wind like bedsheets, scantily clad cheerleaders danced, and jubilant spectators cheered. A record captured the sight of people waving happily from a giant pumpkin with holes for eyes, nose, and mouth, parading across the screen. It was like a carnival, excessive in shape […]

In the remote expanse known as Little Tibet, nestled high on the Tibetan plateau, Ladakh stood as a bastion of ancient culture and rugged beauty. Its isolation, both geographical and political, lent it an air of mystique and resilience that few regions could match. Politically tethered to India yet culturally akin to Tibet, Ladakh’s identity was a tapestry woven with threads of tradition and the echoes of a bygone era. The story of Ladakh’s transformation mirrored the tumultuous winds that swept across its high mountain passes. Helena Norberg-Hodge, a pioneering figure in the localization movement, bore witness to this evolution firsthand. Her arrival in Ladakh, accompanying a German film crew […]

The Necessity of Permaculture An autonomous system Composed of meticulously selected elements, this system maintains the balance of ecosystems, allowing organisms and inanimate components to circulate seamlessly. It is a perfect system collaboratively built by humans and nature, a holistic perpetual motion machine. Could permaculture be the key to producing healthy food in the age of ecological crises? Do you remember the days of summer vacation, building treehouses in the backyard, playing soccer or hopscotch, and frolicking with rabbits and hunting dogs, a time when the concept of boredom didn’t exist? I was 13 in 1996, dreaming like many of my classmates about the exciting things we’d do next summer. […]

Leh Ladakh is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and captivating scenery, offering a plethora of hidden gems waiting to be explored. These lesser-known destinations provide a unique and enriching experience for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures. Let’s delve into some of these hidden treasures: 1. RUMTSE Nestled amidst the picturesque Rupshu Valley, Rumtse serves as a gateway to the enchanting TSO Moriri lake. Trekking through its lush greenery unveils a different facet of Leh’s landscape, challenging the notion of barrenness. Encounter wildlife like marmots, wild ass, and the Brahminy duck while exploring this serene locale. Best time to visit: June to September 2. ULEYTOKPO For a tranquil retreat away from the […]

THE TIBETAN FOX: A PORTRAIT OF UNIQUE FACIAL EXPRESSION Known also as the Tibetan sand fox or by its Tibetan names, Wa or Wamo, this creature is a true fox species endemic to the lofty grassy plains of the Tibetan Plateau in western China, the Ladakh Plateau in northern India, as well as in Sikkim and Bhutan, ascending to heights of around 5,300 m (17,400 feet). The Tibetan fox possesses a diminutive yet robust frame, adorned with a soft, dense coat boasting gray underfur and a pristine white underbelly. This lush fur serves as an insulation against the gusts of the high mountain winds. Its coat exhibits a spectrum of […]

This query, akin to a symphony of curiosity, is not merely a question of timing but a harmonious convergence of personal predilections and the multifaceted tapestry of experiences that one aspires to weave amidst the rugged grandeur of this northern Indian bastion. Leh Ladakh, with its panoramic vistas, high-altitude mystique, and cultural tapestry interwoven with antiquity, is a destination that beckons the intrepid soul. However, navigating the cadences of its seasonal rhythms and the symphony of its climatic variations is an art unto itself, a melody that crescendos and decrescendos through the canvas of the year. Summer (June to September): This interval, a sonnet of warmth and vibrancy, emerges as […]

In my youthful days, there existed an affluent gentleman in our social circle, often visiting our home. On one occasion, I posed a question akin to this. Rather than a direct response, he chose to elucidate through the medium of the game I was engrossed in at the time. (Curiously, he was an enthusiast of gaming.) The game in question was none other than Minecraft. Yes, Minecraft became the vessel through which I grasped the profound paradox of wealth. He enjoined me to embark on a new virtual realm with a singular objective: to construct an entire domicile from diamond blocks, all within the rigors of survival mode. Indeed, I […]

The famous Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River in Kolkata. Photo: Dipan Maity/iStockphoto In a place where trees ravage homes The winds of change blow in Kolkata In Kolkata, time spins and it seems citizens can evade the future. Here, poetry still holds more value than money, and fig trees grow in old bedrooms. This city gradually bends to nature and may someday be devoured by it. “It’s the perfect place to spend retirement,” says Iftekhar, her black hair tied up in a high ponytail, eyes gleaming with excitement. Pulling at the damp linen shirt clinging to her body, she surveys the surroundings. We rush through the missing double doors […]