'Mera
Nam Hai Chameli, Main Hoon Malan Albelee; Chali Aai Hoon Akeli Bikaner
Se.'
 These
rhythmic lines of one Hindi film of my childhood era were very popular. I
could never associate the underlined words 'Malan & Bikaner' as my
mind was trapped in the web of statements delivered by different subjects
teachers. Geographical string-Bikaner: soil- sandy, uncultivable; annual
rainfall 25cm approx.; too hot during daytime and cold nights. Biological
statement-very few fauna and flora. In this part of our country, only
scanty thorny bushes or cacti can be grown. Hindi teacher gives word
meaning of 'Malan' as wife of a gardener, for whom I hold my own
imagination- as lady nurturing Chrysanthemum, Carnations, Rose---the
colorful ornaments of a land.
Paradox of gardening in desert, persistent in my mind for 35 years got
clarified after spending one year in Bikaner. The people of this city have
an instinct of 'Malan'. I mean to say, they possess the phenomenon of
tender care for cultivating emeralds in gold. In spite of geographical and
climatic constraints, their environmental esteem at par excellence. My
stated truth of the mentioned paradox is not hypothetical. It is based on
few concrete observations. Let me unveil.
Royal ladies of Bikaner have beautifully camouflaged religion/beliefs with
agriculture/cultivation to add few feathers in the cap of 'Harit
Rajasthan'.
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About
Author |
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Rays emerging from golden
sand of Bikaner. |
| Mrs. Renukiran Bajaj
is my name on electoral ID. I, as Renu, a daughter of a bank
official and as Mrs. Bajaj, a wife of a central government officer have
been to various cities of India due to transfers. 'Life Science Teacher' by
profession, I have taken up many excursion. Each place of our country is
unique but sand particles (Renu) of Bikaner have activated my 'Kiran'
part of the name and ray has emerged as logical, analytical
reasoning to explore hidden uniqueness of Bikaner. I would like to
thank www.realbikaner.com
to provide me a platform to share my impression of Bikaner followed
by its impact. May God bless this website as it's motto is 'Bloom
where planted'. |
 We
read 'Chipko Andolan' of Tehri Dam region in news papers due to it's
political mouth but .......
'Khejri'- the jewel trees of Bikaner & Nagore districts are prevailing
due to the possessive attitude of agriculturalists-Bishnoi ladies. These
queens like 'Jhansi Ki Rani' were ready to sacrifice their heads in the
name of urbanization but not even a twig of the tree. 'Khejri' not only
conserves sandy soil layers but nutrient supplier too. To outsiders, it
may be a dry, barren looking tree but for the people of this region it is
like 'Kalpvriksha'.
'Sangri'- the leguminous pods borne on these trees is the delicacy
of the royal menu of 'Bikaneri Thali'. It's pickle travels overseas.
Leaves provide highly proteinaceous fodder to Camels. Land under and
around 'Khejri' tree is very fertile. 'Bajra' & 'Moth'-staple food of
Bikaner are grown to lay green cover on gold. Top soil too is shielded.
Further quoting," To grow 'White Aak' in every courtyard of house is
very auspicious" is the firm faith of local ladies. Housewives
believe that if you cultivate this swallow wart for 15 years, then in it's
root the Lord 'Ganesha' resides and simultaneously one of the leaf grows
very large, where you can see the impression of the Lord. Flowers and
fruits are offered to the Lord 'Shiva' to bless their wishes. As a
botanist how could I prevalent good omen?
On unquote, I felt plantation, cultivation and preservation- three
basic instincts of a 'Malan' are the secrets of the belief. To grow this
endangered species having medicinal importance needs patience, which can
be acquired only through religious faith. Since water table in desert is
very low, in 15 years of time, the tap root of the bush by twisting and
turning reaches the table, it might look like the shape of Lord Ganesha.
Do not pluck leaves (the kitchen of tree)-a loud message, in anticipation
of witnessing the impression. Truly said, 'Beauty lies in the beholder's
eyes'. Recall psychiatric test of inkblot on folded blotting paper. Some
visualise the symmetrical figure as Christmas tree, some as house-fly,
some as bat and some as .....
By offering flowers and fruits of the tree along with milky water to the
Lord Shiva, actually worshiping ladies are acting as pollinating and
seed-dispersing agents to spread the valuable desert wild. What a
wonderful blend of science and religion!
To conclude, now from the screen of my mind, Daffodils, tulips are out and
garden of Desert mallow, Blue bells, Beaver tail cactus are in. Canopy of
trees flew up and beautiful blooming cacti, may be short lived, are deeply
anchored down to the earth.
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