In the beginning, there were... Letters... to the Editor! That was my first brush with writing for a public audience. I became quite a pro at writing to the Editor and did enjoy a few highlights. Here are some...
When the Centre for Science and Environment published a well researched environmental piece on goats in their magazine, Down to Earth, I had my own unique take on it, involving the famous adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl!
I knew that comparing the Tibetans-in-exile to the travails experienced by the stateless Jews (I had just finished reading Leon Uris' Exodus) would definitely stand a strong chance of winning the "Numero Uno" letter prize and I was overjoyed when it did!
Being a voracious and omnivorous reader and having a well-stocked library at home certainly helped me in bringing out this historical nugget.
I experienced my first major drought in Chennai during the summers of '99 and '00. And, when I came across - Rain Water Harvesting - this absolute gem of a suggestion, I had to pass it on and make it well known. Thankfully, the Editors at The New Indian Express were on the same wavelength as me.
Yet, another prize and another cheque from The New Indian Express!
A different year (2002) and a different place (Bangalore), but my message stays the same - harvest rain water - and this time, Times of India saw fit to publish my suggestion.
First, it was Indra Devi and then came Emma Brunton - two occidentals teaching Yoga in the land of the orientals - three cheers to woman power! Thank you, Times of India, Bangalore.
Electric vehicles are all the rage now, but give me a minute please and check out what I had to say 18 years back!
