On the occasion of international year of light -2015 !

Dedicated to two of my young friends who going to marry today. They struggle for years to arrive on this particular day, trying hard to break the hurdles cast and class. May god consecrate them to elevate their example of harmony and humanity!
In our India Butterfly is considered as the symbol of marriage .

Dedicated to the adored tribal community of India, who celebrate Sarhul. ‘Sarhul’ is  a festival marking the beginning of New Year, by worshiping trees. Celebrated by the tribal of Jharkhand and Odisha This annual festival is celebrated during the spring season when trees and other elements of nature are worshiped. Sarhul literally means ‘Worship of Sal’. ‘Sal’ tree is Shorea rubusta

Based on the interpretation of Mr Tashi Dorzi Thougan of Rupa, Arunachal Pradesh- India, who interpreted about colour in the life of Sherdukpen community of Arunachal Pradesh)

Dedicated to Ms Kabe Rongpipi of Chandra Sing Rongpi Village located in Kohora River Basin area of Karbi-Anglong ,Assam.
Getting married at the age of 22 years she pursuing Jhum (slash and burn cultivation) in hills. When first child was born she realizes practicing jhum with small child is difficult, so she search for alternative. She started her alternative venture as Vegetable vendor (she was the first women on this trade in the area) gradually started trading of wild edibles and other NTFP. Now she also practices fruit gardening, food processing along with earlier practices. In our last discussion in January, 2020, she shared ‘she love introduce as business women’.

Based on folk tale of ‘Sermaya’ community a sub-group of ‘Halam’ tribes of a inhabitant Tripura, belongs to North Eastern Part of India

There is a community called Khasi, inhabitant of State of Meghalaya, India. The Khasi matriarchal society has a cultural system, where they consider forest as sacred. They have clan forest, village forest, community forest in every village.  There is a saying that “Khasi live in forest and forest live Khasi”. Their lifestyle is designed with cycle of nature and nature stewardship is vivid in their day to day life. Now, different groups are coming up to the area, started to destroying the forest in the name of mining and industry. Ecosystem people of the area trying hard to raise their voice, but no one care about it. In every visit to the area I am becoming helpless!

Sail, dream, azure, sapphire water way

Dedicated to the young people, who struggling by their heart and soul to chase their dream!

Boori Boot is a festival celebrated by Hill-Miri –tribe of Upper Subansiri and Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, India in the month of February. Boori Boot in local Hill- Miri dialect means to get together irrespective of caste, creed, age and *** to celebrate the arrival of spring. Another aspect of this festival is that people pray to the spirit of Boori Boot so that it blesses them with prosperity and frees them from diseases.

It is dedicated to the villagers of North East India who take care and celebrate the visit of migratory bird to their villages in winter.

From today ‘Rongali Bihu’ is celebrated in Assam,India; ‘Rong’ means cheerful festivity and ‘Bihu’ the festival of Spring, which is link to agricultural activities. After this festival people will start their wet paddy/summer paddy cultivation with preparation of land. It is celebration for seven days. First day is marked for care of domesticated animal, particularly cattle.  ‘Bihu’ dance and song are the major part of celebration. Here, a variety of Orchid, call of koel (locally called as Kuli; Koel - Eudynmys scolopaceus- is a member of the Cuckoo order of birds), Keteki (Brain fever bird, scientific name Hierococcyx varius);  Keteki flower (Pandanus odoratissimus)are symbolize as the sign of spring. ‘Bordoi-chila’ myth link to thunder storm, this particular as per its roots means butterfly dancer.

In the memories of Alashree Basumotary, who was expired on March 15, 2020. She was an inhabitant of fringe village of Manas National Park and world natural heritage site ( inKokilabari area of Baksa, Assam,India).
Up to 2015, their daily life and livelihood was depending on NTFP collection from the park. It was mid part of 2016 Alashree lead five other fellow village women started their plan for alternative livelihood. In course of time Alashree mobilize and motivate more women and form Purnima Women SHG. Alashree lead the SHG as president. They started their venture of Chalk pencil production. In the process of pursuing their passion, they started new venture of dyeing of cotton thread using different natural sources including uses of leaves of different invasive plant. These ventures bring more secured livelihood to these 12 women. Their colour threads were used for apparel making, dress material production in handloom. Now all the SHG members are committed to continue the venture keep alive Alashree’s dream venture.
Purnima SHG was supported by Aaranyak( an NGO based at Guwahati, Assam,India ) under Manas Tiger Conservation Programme (MTCP).
I was personally involved with many of their planning and strategy making discussion, in-fact in a village level meeting where I was a participant ( as an associate of MTCP team )  Alashree and the fellow women for the  first time  share their idea of SHG formation and group venture. It is difficult to forget her thoughtful argument and desire to work together to change their own life and make bring delightedness to others.
Last we mate on January 21, 2020    (in a programme on “One Month Certificate Course on Value Addition & Marketing of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) by ENVIS Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Govt of India in Manas in association with  ENVIS Cell of ASTE council and Green Environment Task Force (GETF)),   where in a technical session  conducted by me, Alashree and one of their SHG member give demonstration on utilization leaves and flower of non-cultivated floral sources for natural dyeing. After the session Alashree jokingly told me you make us teacher too.
May her soul rest in peace!