Window
Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 24.5.2020
Super Cyclone Amphan
In 1999
Odisha experienced a super cyclone in which over 10,000 people perished. Two
decades later, super cyclone Amphan lacerated Odisha and ravaged West Bengal,
even as both the states are reeling under the impact of Corona like the rest of
the country. The death toll (about 80 in West Bengal and 2 in Odisha) may have been higher but
for the timely prediction by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and
massive evacuation by both states.
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Post-cyclone, it is time to take
stock, rehabilitate the impacted people, bring life back to normalcy and
rebuild the ravaged houses and infrastructure. It is a mammoth work. Farmers have not just lost
crops, but livestock. The storm surge may have also lead to the ingress of
saline water into the fields and homes in the Sundarbans and Bhitar Kanika.
This will hit soil quality and impact productivity, and force people to migrate
in search of livelihood. Reconstruction efforts are never easy; it will be much
more difficult now with the states battling another challenge that has taken a
toll on their finances and human resources — the coronavirus pandemic.
Both the
states, especially West Bengal need generous help and support to rebuild the
infrastructure and restructure the already sagging economy.
This is
the time to rise over petty political bickering and one-upmanship and get down
to serious rebuilding work. Every calamity also provides an opportunity- to
build better infrastructure.
A reminder
Cyclone Amphan is also a reminder that oceans are warming due to
rising emissions, and warm ocean water is a key ingredient for the formation of
tropical cyclones. The number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of
Bengal has increased by 32% in the last five years, says IMD data. The states
with long coastlines have borne the brunt of the cyclones. Frequent cyclones
are putting additional economic burden on the poor states like Odisha. The
question remains: is there any solution?
The solutions — tackling the sources of global warming, and
investing in and upgrading climate resilience and adaptation techniques — are
complex processes and expensive, as the Hindustan Times editorial (22.5.20)
says. It also needs tremendous political will and people’s support and
participation to ensure that development is sustainable. But it has to be done;
otherwise, the costs, as Cyclone Amphan has shown, will be massive and
recurring. We can ill afford this.
Nine places in India to find the
best mangoes!
Except in the higher regions of
the Himalayas and Hill Stations in other places, summers in India are long and
often excruciating. You often feel extremely thirsty and the heat kills your
appetite. However, there is one thing about summer that makes us drool and not
sweat – Mangoes!
It is an absolute delight to try
the different varieties of mangoes that are grown in India. There are certain
regions which are known for a specific type of mango produce. These are the
best places to try out this amazing seasonal fruit, which defines the word
delicious. It is not for nothing that mango is known as the king of the fruits.
1. Maharashtra: Alphonso
The famous Alphonso mango or
Hapus is produced in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Konkan regions. Known
for its sweet flavor, it is one of the largest selling variety of mangoes in
India and abroad.
2. Andhra Pradesh: Banganapalli
The pulpy, meaty, fibre-less
Banganapalli gets its name from the Banganapalle town in Andhra Pradesh where
it is grown extensively. It is one of the most popular mangoes in south India.
3. Uttar Pradesh: Dashehri
Also known as the Malihabadi
mango, the Dasheri is a mango variety extremely popular in north India. Malihabad in Uttar Pradesh is
the largest producer of this type of mangoes.
4. Gujarat: Kesar
The Gujurati kesar mango is used
for making the famous ‘aamras’, which literally means ‘juice of the mango’. It
is known for its sweet taste, juicy pulp and saffron fragrance. Aamras is a
common delicacy during summer in the western regions of India.
5. Karnataka: Totapuri
Although not very sweet in taste,
the Totapuri is an extremely favorite mango variety in south India as it is
used in several pickles and salads. It can be recognized quite easily due to
its greenish shade and hooked tip resembling a parrot’s beak (hence the name!).
It is mainly produced in Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in south India.
6. Bihar: Langra
One of the most popular variety of mangoes in north
India, the langra literally translates to lame as it was first grown in an
orchard owned by a lame man in Benares (now Varanasi). It is also grown in
other parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and even
Punjab.
7. West Bengal: Himsagar and
Kishan Bhog
Round in shape and sweet in
taste, the Kishan Bhog is sold in large numbers in West Bengal. It is mostly grown
in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. Himsagar, on the other hand, is used in
desserts and drinks due to its fibre-less body and largely grown in Malda
district.
8. Himachal Pradesh: Chausa
Known as one of the sweetest
mangoes grown in North India, Chausas are famous for their sweet pulp and
bright yellow skin. They are mainly grown in Pakistan but are also produced in
Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and some other north Indian states. They
are available during the months of July and August.
9. Odisha: Amrapalli
Dhenkanal district of Odisha, wher I live has an indigenous
variety of mango called Amrapalli. This fleshy no-fibre mid-size mango is my
personal favourite because of its sweetness and smell. And it makes world's
best mango shake.
Essential Services
Only essential services to be available
during lock-down.
Schools, colleges, universities and all
types of education are missing from the essential list.
I realized how many years of my life
did I waste on non-essential activities.
(Courtesy: Social Media)
***
Journalist
turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He also
writes fiction and translates poetry. An anthology of his translated poems will
be published in mid –June 2020.
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