Saving water -- the "common sense" way

Summers are a testing time. It tests your endurance to carry out your usual work in somewhat extreme conditions. For the work which you could do with relative ease in spring, now you shall have to put in an extra effort. And most of these extreme conditions are attributed to shortage of water.

We are almost on the verge of summer season and the effects are already showing. The local government has already issued a warning on the imminent load-shedding that it would enforce on us. Even in Bangalore, which is the Electricity Boards cash cow, there is no escaping. The underground water levels have further diminished because of its overuse and almost zero replenishment; there was very little rainfall last year. Add to that the numerous official reports on how countries like India and China are facing severe water shortages.

Although it's true that we can't do much about the rains, there is something we can do about the depleting water level. We can use our "common sense". Here is my personal list of top ways to save water using "common sense"

1) Don't take a shower for too long. That way, you will save even up to 60 liters a day!

2) Try not to leave the water running when you're brushing your teeth. You'll waste about 90 liters a week

3) Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.

4) Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 10,000 liters per year

5) Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.

6) Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

7) Don’t use a running water to wash your car or bike; use a bucket full of water instead and you can save up to 300 liters per wash

8) Use full loads in your washing machine, or if purchasing look for economy features such as half load capability or reduced water consumption.

9) Wash dishes by hand, using one bowl for washing and one for rinsing. Bowls are filled with less water than it takes to fill the sink. You can save up to 50 liters a day

End of list but not the end of water saving ideas. Suggest your own ways to save water at kansal.gaurav@gmail.com

Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water. Don't worry if the savings are minimal. Every drop counts. You can make a difference.

Stem Cell Banking

Stem cell banking, or umbilical cord banking, is a relatively new concept. The blood from the umbilical cord is immediately collected after the child birth. This blood is rich in stem cells, also known as master cells, have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
Stem cells have shown promising potential in the treatment of diseases like leukemia, diabetes, thalassemia, spinal cord injury etc. The collection process doesn't pain either the child or mother. Earlier this blood used to be discarded after delivery. Click here for more information.
There are two main companies doing stem cell banking in India -- Reliance and Lifecell. You will find lot more information about the stem cell banking on Lifecell website.
These companies store the blood for 21 year and custody is with mother. One time fees for 21 years costs around Rs. 70-75K. There are some more payment options wherein you pay around Rs. 37K for registration and processing, and then around Rs. 3500/- per year for 21 years. Check with these companies for details.
It does appear expensive but if shows even half the results as are projected now, I think its worth going for stem cell banking.
There are other sources of stem cells also like bone marrow. But bone marrow match is very difficult and expensive also. Stem cells will easily match because they are yours only.
A good article on Cord blood banking by a doctor of MaxHealthCare, New Delhi.

Click here to download brochure from Reliance.
Stem cell research blog

Reliance offices in India (+91 22 6767 8000/1800 22 3900)
Lifecell offices in India

Trip to tirupati

The word Tirupati means the Lord of Lakshmi and the word Tirumala means Abode of Lakshmi. Tiru means Lakshmi, Pati means husband or king, and Mala means hill. The ancient texts of India declare that if one wants to attain Moksha in Kalyug, then he or she has to worship Lord Venkateswara (who is also worshipped as `Balaji' by the north Indians) at Tirupati for the attainment of the same.
Lord Balaji's temple at Tirumala is the richest Hindu temple temple and most visited (after Vatican city) in the world.
Tirupati is 258 km from Bangalore (via Kolar and Chittoor). The road to Tirupati is good and you can drive. However, lot of government and private buses ply on Bangalore-Tirupati Route.
Best package trip is by AP Tourism. They charge around Rs 1100/-. It includes journey by AC Volvo, room for bathing and changing clothes in morning and darshan ticket (worth Rs 200/-). The bus departs around 7.30 in evening from Bangalore and you will be back by next evening. ITDC and KSTDC also have daily package trips to Tirupati. I can suggest 2 travel agents to book these packages:

• Deepa Travels, 48 CMH Road, Indiranagar, 2nd Stage. Ph: 25257606/22907292/9845297505
• S.S Travels, Raheja Arcade Road, Opp. Aangan Restaurant, Koramangala Ph:25526846/25526895

Better go via these government tour operators as these are very reliable and they give what they say. Private operators will also claim to return the next day, but if there is rush in tirupati it may take one day more.

Now they have Rs 300/- tickets also. Just go there, stand in the darshan queue, and get the ticket also in the queue :) So no worries about getting tickets on reaching there. There are 4 counters for this in the darshan queue itself.

By air

Air deccan (daily) and Kingfisher(Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) operate flights to Tirupati from Bangalore. Tirupati airport is around 14 kms from city.

By car

Currently the road is being expanded, so work is going on. There's not much traffic. Kamath is also on the way, and there is one Coffee day too. Woody's (of Bangalore) is there just after you cross Kolar. It is a nice South Indian restaurant. After that there are few restaurants near Chitoor including Reliance A1 plaza.
What to see: If you go via AP tourism, they will take you only to Lord Balaji's temple at Tirumala and Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tirupati. However if you go via car, there are many temples in that area which you can visit.

1. Ganesh temple at Kanipakam

Kanipakam is a Hindu temple for the god Ganesha located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in South India. It was constructed in the llth century CE by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by the Emperors of Vijayanagara.
A striking and strange feature of the Ganesha idol in the temple is that it is still growing in size. At present, we can see the knees and the abdomen of the idol. One ardent devotee had offered a 'Kavacham' (Armour) to the Lord, fifty years ago but today it is out of size and doesn't fit the idol.
Read more about the temple and various legends about this temple at following links:
a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanipakam
b. http://www.kanipakamvinayaka.org/home.html (official website of temple)
The temple is just 10 kms before chitoor on left side when you go from Bangalore.

2. Getting tickets for Darshan at Tirupati

Try to reach tirupati early. If you want Rs 50/- darshan ticket, that is available in tirupati near bus stand. If darshan time is some hours away, you can visit Srikalahasti. The sewa tickets are available in Tirumala at the Vijaya bank counter near the temple entrance. If you go early, you can easily get tickets for next day. The temple trust also sells the sewa tickets online, but I have always seen those booked for next six months. Avoid going there on long weekends if you are driving to there by car and best are weekdays to avoid the rush.
Recently TTD has started "Sheegra Darshan". The ticket costs Rs 300/-. Just get into the line, and buy tickets on the way:). There are 4 counters to get the ticket.

3. Srikalahasti

Srikalahasti is a famous pilgrim centre and the temple here is dedicated to Lord Siva known as Vayulingam and considered as Dakshina Kasi. This is around 30 kms from Tirupati.
Read more about the temple and various legends about this temple at following links:
a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalahasti
b. http://www.srikalahasti.org/ (official website of temple)

4. Sri Venkateswara Temple

Lord Venkateswara temple is in Tirumala (around 30 kms from Tirupati). Tirumala lies in the midst of the Seshachalam hills which are 2,000 feet above the sea level.
Click here to read various legends about the temple.
All the faclities in Tirumala including accomodation etc are managed by temple trust. Temple trust, TTD (Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams), maintain the following website which will give you all sort of information:
http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_about.htm
There are many temples nearby which you can visit. Click here for more information
TTD runs free buses inside Tirumala. Amazingly you will find the place always clean when lot of devotees visit it daily.

5. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple at Tirupati

The temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara is situated in Tirupati. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple. Click here to read more about the temple and various legends about this temple.