Thursday, October 15, 2009

Bird Loving People Of Kollukudipatti Village Celebrate Soundless And Smokeless Deepavali

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WINGED VISITORS: Migratory birds nest at Vedankudi Bird Sanctuary.

Just a couple of days back, my friend, Indianhomemaker had posted an article, expressing how the smoke and sounds of Deepavali fireworks, affect the basic instincts of the birds and animals. She writes:

'Have we traumatized and confused them by exposing them to harmfully loud noises? Every Diwali humans instinctively cover their ears to protect them from their own celebrations. Animals and birds have sharper hearing, but no way to cover their ears.'

I read this article yesterday in Times of India and felt happy to know that some good humans are still there to give importance to the birds and animals' feelings.

Saturday night across the country will be lit up by firecrackers shipped mostly from Sivakasi. But barely 90km away, a tiny area along Sivaganga, in Tamilnadu,  will ensure that the skies remain dark and quiet on Diwali. For three decades, Singampunari hasn’t set off a single firecracker for fear that it will scare away exotic birds that nest in the Vedankudi bird sanctuary. Migratory birds wing in here from Siberia, Russia and Europe.

Kollukudipatti and Vedankudipatti villages are both close to the 40-acre Vettankudi Bird Sanctuary off Madurai-Tirupathur road in small drainage basins.

V Selvaraj of Kollukudipatti says 500 families in the two villages abide by the unwritten rule that bans firecrackers. An ardent bird lover, he regularly visits the sanctuary and says it’s a treat to watch the birds and create awareness about the need to protect them.

P Swarnavalli, another villager, says even children do not pester parents for firecrackers. ‘‘We tell them about the shivering chicks in the nests and how they can die due to shock. They do not ask for fireworks" she says.

A couple of Red Bulbuls nested in our garden recently and I have seen the chick birds growing up, day by day.  The parents took so much care to bring them up.  It is not easy when they nest on a tiny plant, which is near the road with heavy traffic.  Thank god, they grew up and flew away, without any harm.  Every villager in the Kollukudipatti village,  must be feeling like the parent birds, to protect them from any harm.  

Hats off to them!

Edited one hour later to add:

Happy Deepavali to you all...I have already wished in my previous post, but this post  also seemed important for posting today!
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23 comments :

Anonymous said...

This brought tears to my eyes... thank you for sharing this heart warming information Sandhya!!! Yes it is a joy to watch baby birds being taken care of by their parents... and I am so glad these wonderful nature loving people talk to their children about how frightening these noises and smoke must be for birds!!! I wish educated parents would do the same, I know I would much rather my child watched a healthy happy chick learning to fly than watch a noisy, polluting rocket fly.

Shail said...

Oh its such wonderful news!! I wish I lived there at least during Diwali. I detest the noise and pollution as much as the birds and animals. Really I do, because all the smoke makes breathing difficult and the noise simply is too much to bear.
It is awesome that a whole village including its children think of the welfare of the birds!! Hats off to them.

Shail said...

Oh by the way
Happy Diwali to you and family Sandhya!

You are not going to believe htis, I was wondering 'Where is Sandhya??' and I saw your comment!!!

Anonymous said...

Sandhya this is a perfect post for Blog Action Day!

kanagu said...

today morning only I have read this news.. really heart-warming... :)

kudos to those people for taking care of birds to that extent... nice to hear :)

Kavita Saharia said...

If only all the creatures of this world were considerate to each other like this....but at least some people are doing it...nice piece of news Sandhya,THANKS.

Sandhya said...

IHM: 'I know I would much rather my child watched a healthy happy chick learning to fly than watch a noisy, polluting rocket fly.' You use beautiful words to express yourself, IHM! I would like that, too!

'Blog action day'? Thank you!


Shail: I too am allergic to smoke and dust, Shail. Yes, Shail, only they are good human beings, I feel.

Happy Deepavali to you and your family too, Shail!


Kanagu: I posted it one day later after reading it. Was busy with Deepavali work. Most of the people don't bother and don't even care to enjoy their beauty and chirpings.


Kavita: Yes, someone is there to care for them, too!

Swaram said...

Oh this is a gr8 piece of info Sandhya :) Feels so nice to see such ppl exist even today when we think everyone is heartless :) Thank u so so much for sharing it :)

It must be so nice to see those RedBulbuls na :) very nice :)

Happy Diwali Sandhya :D

Solilo said...

This is such a good thing, Sandhya! There is hope. Smoke from the firecrackers are so bad for our health and also since it is cold in Northern part of India, it stays in the air for a long time too.

I agree with IHM. This post qualifies as Blog Action Day 09 post written on Oct 15.

Sandhya said...

Swaram: We felt very lucky to have the Red Bulls nest in our garden.


Solilo: Bangaloreans also feel the smoke for a longer time than us, Chennai people.

I am not familiar with the term 'Blog Action Day', Solilo.

Sandhya said...

Got it...'blog action day,09'! Googled it. Thank you, Solilo!

R. Ramesh said...

happy Deepavali S..best wishes always..good post this..enjoyed reading..hope people get the msg..cheers

SG said...

Very nice post. Very nice story. Happy deepavali to you and your fmaily.

Sandhya said...

Ramesh: Thank you! Happy Deepavali to you and your family, too, Ramesh!


SG: Thank you and Happy Deepavali to you and your family too, SG!

Deeps said...

will be back to read the post,Sandhya.
came here to wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous Diwali :)

Saritha said...

It is a great news that people voluntarily not using the crackers.

Happy diwali to u and wish uncle and ur son a happy diwali :0

Deeps said...

such a heartwarming post,Sandhya.I did read IHM,post and saddened to realize how grave our birds animals' situation is.

After reading about Kollukudipatti and Vedankudipatti villages,its heartening to know that there are people who are compassionate and caring towards animals and birds. Its such a positive sign :)

Sandhya said...

varunavi: Thank you and all of us wish you Happy Deepavali, Saritha!

Yes, I felt very happy to know that some villagers are there to care for the birds' feeling.


Deeps: I was happy to do this post, Deepu!

SG said...

Nice post. The Kollukudipatti villagers should be congratulated.

radha said...

So true. When people are so inconsiderate to other humans, it may be too much to expect them to think of wildlife. There were people bursting crackers well after 1.30 am and that too in the vicinity of a nursing home. If only people lit a few diyas to symbolise deepavali,that would be such a wonderful way of celebrating the festival sans noise.

Sandhya said...

SG: Yes, they should be appreciated.


Radha: Yes, Radha! Lighting diyas should be given importance than bursting crackers. Here, in Chennai, in our area, the sound had reduced drastically, don't know the reason.

R. Ramesh said...

thanks ya:)

Anonymous said...

Oh that is really nice.. there are some people who care for nature and birds! and not everyone is ruthless..felt great to read about it.. Happy Diwali (belated)

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