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Inside delhi

Personalised interactions with wordsmiths are likely to leave lesser mortals with a feeling akin to unrequited love -- with that unresolved desire of knowing what goes on inside the enriched mind of the writer in question who has put together a body of work that so authentically encompasses the life and times of characters.

At a book-reading session in the Capital this past week, celebrated writer Amitav Ghosh revealed a minuscule portion of his thought processes and the kind of work that goes into the fabrication of his well-researched novels.

Appearing to be at absolute ease at the lectern, Mr. Ghosh said he had been questioned, irksomely, on several occasions over the years if his basic grounding in anthropology -- the writer has a Ph.D. in social anthropology from the University of Oxford -- had proved a deterrent to his creative endeavours.

“Writers are not supposed to have empty heads, you know,” he rejoined while also recounting how he had found the atmosphere at Delhi University “much more stimulating” than the staid environment of the English university town.

Fielding questions of all intents and purposes from all corners of the packed auditorium, Mr. Ghosh also politely denied having consumed opium in an attempt to bring a tinge of realism to his latest book, “Sea of Poppies”, which is based on 19th Century opium trade in India. But surely the evening belonged to an unquestionably overawed woman who got up from her seat and, forgetting whatever little script she would have prepared for this momentous occasion, mumbled: “Mr. Ghosh, how in the world are you able to write so well!”

Kunal Diwan

A green journey

To find out what China is doing to mitigate climate change and environmental degradation, 16-year-old Aditya Kumar of Delhi’s Sanskriti School has been selected to attend the “Green Journey” programme in China from July 14 to 30.

Aditya is an Indian Climate Champion, chosen in an initiative launched by the British Council this February.

The “Green Journey” will have young climate champions from mainland China and Hong Kong together with International Climate Champions from India and Japan travelling around China, looking at various sites of environmental interest.

Travelling around China by locomotives to visit environmentally-responsible schemes and organisations, the young ambassadors will try to reach out to the young local people and encourage them to get involved in combating global warming. Besides keeping a video diary, they will share best practice with the organisations, schools and media.

Aditya, who will visit the National Climate Centre, Tsignhua University, Beijing Planetarium and eco-buildings and parks, loves to take up new challenges.

Aditya and his small group of friends started a gift-a-tree campaign in which young people gifted a tree instead of giving a rose to their beloved on Valentine’s Day and also the “Batti Bandh” campaign: switch off your lights everyday for about 15 minutes.

The young lad will distribute environment-friendly gifts to people on East Nanjing Road during his visit to China.

Madhur Tankha

A happy outing

If you are among those just back in the city enjoying the last leg of the summer vacation and wondering where to take the children for the weekend, you might consider the Capital’s sprawling National Zoological Park – better known as Delhi Zoo -- as a relaxing yet educational getaway.

Listed as one of Asia’s largest and finest zoos, Delhi Zoo is home to animal and bird species brought here from across the world. A good spot for a picnic, the zoo now has a surprise new addition for its visitors. A hippo was born at the zoo recently and is said to be doing well.

“The hippo was born over a week ago and was first spotted with his mother in the enclosure. With the new birth the total number of hippos in the zoo has now risen to five. Besides the baby hippo, also look out for the three white bucks and two chinkaras that were born in the zoo three days ago,” says the Zoo Director D. N. Singh.

“Summer vacation is the time when we get a lot of visitors and we are happy about the new births as they add to what we can offer to our visitors. Children seem to be most happy to see the young hippo,” adds Mr. Singh.

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

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