Motorbikes

Deviating from regular topics, following young boys who are YouTube moto loggers (Cherry Vlogs and Twin Throttlers - TTF) and traveler Tamil Trekker from Tamil Nadu, made me to write this blog article, similar to a previous blog - Music.  As soon as I could comprehend things in childhood life, I started to have affinity towards motorbikes and travelling. The reason for that was maternal Uncle S.A. Ramakrishnan. He had a motorcycle called AJS, a British model bike slightly bigger than Enfield bike. 

He spend lots on it to keep it in crisp condition with chrome shining everywhere. He kept it spotless clean  - fully loaded motorbike. He would buy parts meticulously at Bapu Lal Auto Spares in Coimbatore behind Railway station. Have spend more such times during childhood. It was fun riding that bike with him. It had a great sound and people would look at us when he gives extra little throttle. Back in Pollachi  (during those high school days), my vehicle journey started with a bicycle (Hercules) gifted by my grandfather.

During that time, we travelled to Top Slip in scooters and TVS50, very risky rides into wildlife area. Later they stopped allowing two wheelers because a wild elephant killed a person riding a two wheeler. After completing my undergraduate degree,  me and a friend took his Suzuki for a trip all along the God's own country - Kerala. 

He had relatives in Palghat, Trichur and Chengannur was our destination. Driving in Kerala, in the beautiful nature serene environments -  was  great experience, which made me to pursue higher studies in Environment field. Unfortunately my friend who rode to Kerala is no more. Sad. Later my uncle  (Chitappa - Father's younger brother) gave me and my brother a Suzuki as a gift. 

We were immediately attached to the bike. I got admission to PSGCAS for my Masters in Environmental Sciences (MSc) and my brother was studying undergraduate there. Most of the time it was bus commute from Pollachi (our home) to Coimbatore. We had great friends travelling with us during these bus travels daily and it was always fun filled great times. When we got the motorbike, we would purposefully get ready very slowly and tell our parents, today we will be taking our Suzuki to college. Even though they did not like it, we always insisted that it is late and by riding our Suzuki we will reach on time. Once we got the approval from parents, we rode the Suzuki to college and had great fun riding it to college. 

What an experience it was. Never in life it will come back. Each and every minute we rode our bike, it was great fun. Our friends group had Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki bikes. 

We would exchange them and had fun with all the varieties of bikes which were available then.  

My dear friend (brother) who is no more was from Vettaikaranpudur. 

One day to impress our seniors he planned and arranged a trip to Kodaikanal. Four of us in a bike and a scooter. It was great fun trip in Suzuki motorbike and a scooter that made the experience an unforgettable one.  Me and him rode a Suzuki bike borrowed from friend. We went to Palani hills and climbed to Kodaikanal from there. Our seniors were in a van and we  followed them in our bike. They were surprised to see us in bikes.  My friend also had similar Suzuki ( same color and model ). Some times for fun we used to compete with each other within the speed limit follwoing the road rules from Coimbatore to Pollachi -  still cherish those moments. One dreadful thing - when we rode,  dogs used to cross the roads. Somehow we managed. If the speed limit, road rules, safety features and use caution were not followed, I would not be here to narrate these stories. We would also use our bikes as dirt bikes from his house to his farm - in rough and tough muddy off roads. 

Later me and friend moved to Bharathiar University for studying another Masters in Environmental Science ( MPhil - Environmental Physiology). Then it was always motorbike ride from Pollachi to Bharathiar University. It was even more fun. My another friend's sister (she is also my sister) was working in Delhi and she bought us a full mask helmet as a gift. 

Then onwards it was riding with the same color bike and helmet. It gave great confidence in riding and the stability needed. Always helmet is a must and it had even saved my life. I had a less speed accident against back of a truck ( Since the truck driver stopped abruptly after constant breaking ) and my helmet broke like a coconut half. My other dear friend was riding as pillion rider and he did not even have a scratch.  If not for the helmet, it would have been my head. So full mask helmet gave me more confidence while riding. I always had riding jacket, jeans while riding along with good shoes and helmet. It is always better to use safety kits.

While doing M.Phil. research, it was our routine in the evening to get some good day biscuits and drink tea at the tea shop. Me, my dear friend Hatha and other friend would go in my bike for this event daily in the evening. One day while going for this tea and biscuit, for some reason, the front wheel lifted in Suzuki, scary moment, since it was slow speed and had good grip of the bike was able to control. That was my first (never planned) and last wheeling in my life. Never did that again. Enjoyed the unplanned wheeling very much, but also felt very scary and decided not to do it anymore. Also had silencer injury in leg because of carelessness. So riding is like meditation - focus, have the right tools, follow road rules, never try to do stunts and follow speed limits. If you do that it will give you life long memories. 

Now it was time to move to USA for my PhD in Environmental Sciences at University of Maryland - MEES program. Always loved Suzuki motorbikes and felt good when riding them.

 First thing I got my motorcycle learner's license. I was planning to ride a motorcycle from Maryland to Michigan where my dear friend who was pillion rider during my small accident was living now. 

Somehow that dream could never materialize. After that never rode a motorbike since most of the time riding car during PhD days. Now I  am aged and relish on memories of younger days in motorbikes. Moved to cars from motorbikes.

Back to square one - riding bicycle again:

Presently,  I like watching youngsters riding motorbikes in YouTube vlogs which brings back great memories of my bike rides.

One of the bike riders I follow in YouTube is Cherry Tagore - Cherry vlogs from Tamil Nadu. He has done great rides in motorbikes. He even completed Trans Russian route which is even tougher for Russian riders. He did it without knowing the language. Great guy and rider. I have seen his great love for animals and bikes. Currently he is on World Trip in his BMW. It is great to watch him and his friend taking on this World tour. I wish him and bless him to complete this ride successfully. He is an inspiration to many. I request everyone to subscribe and support him during this World tour. Go Cherry. Because of his vlog, I wrote this article, since it brought back my motorbike riding days memories. Please subscribe and support Cherry Vlogs.

Also TTF is doing a nonstop ride from Tamil Nadu to Kashmir. Wishes for him to have a succesful safe ride.  Best wishes and success to him too. Support and enjoy TTF rides. Poor guy went little too far with his rides and is in wrong place. He should have practiced normal safe rides and enjoyed his bike rides. Hope he learns from his mistakes and come up in life. Praying for him to learn from his blunders and come out of it in a positive way.

I wish all the young riders good riding, best wishes and have a great time. Again - SAFETY, ABIDE ROAD RULES, and FOCUS on the ride (Even for a second do not SLACK). Eat properly ( at least have dry fruits and nuts) and if you are tired stop, take rest, have a good nap and then ride. As an Environmental Toxicologist, I am also against ALCOHOL and ILLICIT DRUGS. Never use them in life and especially when you are riding. Every travel and vehicles stick to you in your mind and brings back invaluable memories. Have fun travelling and enjoy your vehicle rides. Those are little enjoyable perks we get in our life. Be Safe riding and travelling.

Makesh Karuppiah, PhD

Environmental Scientist and Information Technologist

Bharathiar

 Bharathiar - The Great Poet from Tamil Nadu.

I am an ardent fan of the Great Maha Kavi.

Recently his statue was inaugurated at my alma mater - NGM College, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India.

That is where I did my UG. It was always great environment and fun doing my UG there. Great professors including Tamil Shri. Dr. Sirpi Balasubramiam and Shri. Dr. Amudan taught us. They always instilled the values of knowledge in us, the students.

Bharathiar in each of his poem attracted us in many ways and we are very much attached to him and his visions.

We want to follow him and be his fan always. I had the opportunity to do M.Phil at Bharathiar University, named after him. I feel proud of that. 

My friend's article about great Bharathiar and his connection to Swami Vivekananda.

One of my favorite poem of his, followed it and fulfilled it by building the EAFARMS farm project:

காணி நிலம் வேண்டும் - பராசக்தி

காணி நிலம் வேண்டும்,

(I need a piece of land , Oh divine mother, A piece of land, and there,) - Photos taken at EAFARMS.

அங்கு

தூணில் அழகியதாய் - நன்மாடங்கள்

துய்ய நிறத்தினதாய் - அந்தக்

காணி நிலத்தினிடையே - ஓர்மாளிகை

கட்டித் தரவேண்டும் 

(In the midst of that small piece of land you should build me a house with,

Four pretty pillars and several floors)  

அங்கு

கேணியருகினிலே -

தென்னைமரம்

கீற்று மிளநீரும்.

பத்துப் பன்னிரண்டு -

 தென்னைமரம்

பக்கத்திலே வேணும் - 

(and there near the small pond, Coconut tree leaves should shine in small well water.)

நல்ல

முத்துச் சுடர்போலே - நிலாவொளி

முன்பு வரவேணும், 

(Near ten or twelve coconut trees , moon light should come)

அங்கு

கத்துங் குயிலோசை - சற்றே வந்து காதிற் படவேணும், -

(and there the soft song of the Indian cuckoos - nightingales,

Should come and fall in my ears to make mind happy,)

என்றன்

சித்தம் மகிழ்ந்திடவே - நன்றாயிளந்

தென்றல் வரவேணும்.

(Good light breeze should blow to make me further happy.)

பாட்டுக் கலந்திடவே - அங்கேயொரு

பத்தினிப் பெண்வேணும் - எங்கள்

கூட்டுக் களியினிலே - கவிதைகள்

கொண்டுதர வேணும்

(To mix music there , there should be a virtuous wife there, and in our play together , you should bring and give poems,)

- அந்தக்

காட்டு வெளியினிலே - அம்மா! நின்றன் காவலுற வேணும்,

 - என்றன்

பாட்டுத் திறத்தாலே - இவ்வையத்தைப்

பாலித்திட வேணும்.

(And in that forest expanse, Oh mother you should provide guard,

And by the great knowledge of music , you should look after this world.)

Matangi Amma temple overlooking EAFARMS:

What a vision by Great Mahakavi Bharathiar. 

Quora question about this Bharathi song: 

https://www.quora.com/What-do-you-think-about-Mahakavi-Bharathis-1882-1921-question-Whatever-I-perceive-as-standing-still-walking-and-flying-around-me-are-all-of-these-just-my-dreams-Are-they-mere-illusions

I thank God that I have followed his dream and built EAFARMS project as he dreamt. It has become a nature wonder.

Makesh Karuppiah, PhD

Environmental Scientist and Information Technologist

Mahakavi Bharathiar Fan

India Independence Day Anniversary

 On the 75th year Anniversary of India Independence,  

 We at EAFARMS hoisted Indian Flag. We practice Sustainable Organic Natural Agriculture with Zero Budget Natural Farming, Regenerative, permaculture and indigenous methods at EAFARMS.

Agri Produce during Pandemic.

 INDIA FLAG hoisting at EAFARMS Front Gate

INDIAN Flag flying high

Nature depicting Tri color - before and after transformation of EAFARMS

India's Achievements - 75 years of Independence

On this great day we planted 75 trees which will fight anthropogenically induced climate change along with our coconut trees.

Tree Saplings are ready and are ready for transportation to EAFARMS

75 Tree Saplings planted at EAFARMS on 75 years Of India Independence

Certificate of Appreciation from Ministry of Culture, Government of India   

AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV

We are also winners of EnviroCare Green Awards, 2022.

We at EAFARMS are proud of our freedom and will work towards betterment of India, Environment, Better Human Health, Better Earth for current and future Earth Inhabitants.

Coconuts

Coconuts - Countering Climate Change (CCCC):

Each and every part of Coconut tree is very useful. Tender Coconuts, Oil rich Coconuts, Coconut shells are very useful in various aspects. Tender Coconuts are efficient coolers of human body without any kind of added chemicals. Coconut oils including virgin coconut oils are known for its fungicidal properties. Coconut milk and coconut sugars are also available from coconut. Coconut sap called Neera  is a nutritional healthy drink. Coco fibers can be used in clothing, biodegradable products and has various environmental usages such as erosion control, and oil cleanup. Cocopeat is very useful as a growing media. Dried branches can be used as mulch in the farm. Activated carbon from coconut shells is best for water filters. Biochar from coconut shells is another wonder growth media. Coconut trees are considered as Trees of Life.

Such wonderful coconut tree can be used to counter anthropogenically induced climate change. Coconut trees grow with several branches and is great for carbon sequestering. A coconut tree can store an average amount of 50 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Scientific studies suggest positive potential of coconut tree as a as a potential sequestration source to mitigate the climate change problems. 

Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India - the town where our roots are is called coconut city. It is agriculture area near Western Ghats biosphere with lots of coconut farms. 

Coconut trees canopy under the foothills of Western Ghats can sequester more carbon and truly help in fighting the human induced climate change. 

Agricultural companies, entrepreneurs, researchers are involved in fine tuning coconut varieties. One such person is Mr. David Johnson Lobo and his varieties of coconut are called DeeJay variety. They are short trees with high yield and have more branches. These varieties not only aid in fighting climate change, but also provide income to the farmers with high yield of coconuts. DASF - Deejay Agri Support Foundation - Planting more Coconut Trees.

Benefits of coconuts.

Tender coconuts are efficient coolers of human body without any kind of added chemicals.

Coconut Virgin Oil Benefits

Coconut Oil  Lauric Acid - 

Lauric acid has been shown to contribute the least to fat accumulation. Also, Lauric acid have demonstrably significant antimicrobial activity against gram positive bacteria and a number of fungi and viruses.

Coconut Neera

Coconut fiber for Clothing

Activated Carbon from Coconut shells (Materials for filtration)

Coconut tree parts - fallen branches can be converted into Biochar and mulch.

Simple steps to make biochar:

*            Dig a deep trench in a bed and loosen the soil in the bottom of the trench.

*             Pile the chopped branches into the trench and light it. Fire starts out hot, but is quickly slows down as oxygen supply is reduced.

*           First white smoke is mostly water vapor. Then smoke turns into yellow because of the ingredients in the material which is being burned.

*             When the smoke thins and turns grayish blue, dampen down the fire by covering it with about an inch of soil to reduce the air supply, and leave it to smolder.

*            After the organic matter has smoldered into charcoal chunks, use water to put out the fire and get the biochar.

Cocopeat - various biodegradable products including plant growth media. 

Soil Erosion Control. Oil Spill Removal.

Coconut related Bio Products - Adhi Annam Coir Comforts | Srivari Coirs

Coconut Development Board

Coconut trees at EAFARMS:

EAFARMS - Sustainable Coconut Oil.

At EAFARMS we follow Sustainable Organic Natural Agriculture with regenerative, indigenous methods along with ZBNF and permaculture techniques. Our tender coconuts have very tasty fizzy coconut water. People should give up drinking unhealthy drinks and drink healthy coconut water. It is amazing that our forefathers understood such benefits of coconuts and used it for Symbol of Rituals in Hinduism including while praying to Lord Shiva. 

We are constantly working with farmers especially coconut farmers (connecting global farmers) to use these valuable coconut trees to effectively fight against human induced Climate Change.

Together we can make a change.

EnviroApps Inc -  Envirocare Green Award 2022 Winner

Makesh Karuppiah, PhD
Environmental Scientist and Information Technologist