February events

AWAAS  KI  AWAAZ     February 2020

It was with deep regret that we learnt of the death of Rineeta Lalwani on 4^th February. After more than a year of suffering she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Rineeta had been moved to a nursing home in Pune. The Awaas Trustees and Management extend their condolences to Mr Lalwani, his son and other relatives in India and in America.

                                               

The 4^th of February was also the occasion of the death anniversary of our founder, Shree Rameshwarlal Toshniwal. I was privileged to attend a puja to  remember his life, his concern for people, and his achievements.

We are pleased to welcome back Mr and Mrs Bhosle as residents. Ramesh and Smita were with us at Christmas. Sheela Solapure also rejoined the Awaas family and Ram Mohan Lakotia is staying with us for a few days while his family are away.

We have a new resident in the goshalla too!  A new girl calf was born this morning, 17th February at 8,20am, just as we passed the goshalla to take our morning five rounds of the orchard track. Being a Monday we have named her Shivani! She is black with a white face. Bhramadev delivered her and pronounced that she was a fine animal. 
Anandi, born in December, is growing well and  has changed her coat to a light brown colour.

On leaving the goshalla Sainath’s foot came into contact with a baby python snake curled up on the path. No harm done! It was about 10 inches long. They grow to 4 metres and are constrictors. I wondered where the parents were?

Another calf has been born to the 3rd of our 5 cows - a male this time!

Manya's garden now has a pond and a fountain will be put into it once Suresh the Electrician had been able to connect the electricity. The availability of water plants is rather disappointing as the liner is visible. There are some floating plants and  reeds. It was suggested that I try to smuggle pond weed from home! I will have to research the possibility of seeds. One little success is that I have managed to grow six baby waterlilies from seed. Ashok the Manager  bought the seed and I looked up the "how to" on the internet. They must be dwarf ones as the seeds were not very big and the leaves are only about an inch round. The pond will be edged with securely cemented-in large stone paving slabs. Sainath went to take a photo before the slabs were laid and managed to fall in so we have to be careful with our residents! 

On 28^th Manya took five of the more senior lady residents to visit the Narayan Temple set amid rose  gardens with fountains and green lawns. The huge temple is above ground level but has a lift to the darshan area where richly decorated gods and goddess’s  altars are displayed. Religious music played and there were seats in the breeze cooled white marble hall that the ambiance could be enjoyed.

We had arranged to take lunch there and Smita Bhosle insisted on paying for all of us.The food was good and a special platter was made for me, as I don’t eat chilli.