"The following is a press release that I hope is informative," says a colleague of mine, which I want to share with you our Barkur.com readers. "Happy Ramadan" to our Muslim readers. Yes, there is happines in fasting. Read on:

MUSLIM FAST OF RAMADAN BEGINS NOVEMBER 6.  Month offers opportunity to learn more about Islam and Muslims.

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/15/2002) - On November 6, 2002, the Muslim community in America and around the world will begin the month-long fast of Ramadan . Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. (Note: Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, the start and end dates for Ramadan may vary.)

The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God's commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the "five pillars" of Islam. Because Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins about eleven days earlier each year. The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called "Eid ul-Fitr," or Feast of the Fast-Breaking, on December 6,
2002.
"Muslims look forward to Ramadan as a period of spiritual reflection and renewal. It is also a time when people of other faiths can learn more about Islam and the American Muslim community," said Omar Ahmad, board chairman
of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group.

The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint... Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home)during that month should spend it in fasting..." (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his companions: "God has said: 'Fasting is like a shield. A person who fasts experiences two joys. He is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful when he meets his
Lord.'" (Hadith Qudsi, Hadith 10)

Demographers say Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in this country and around the world. There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in America and some 1.2 billion worldwide.

James Fernandes jimtoxic@aol.com 09/11/2002

Fasting 

All the Gulf countries, has set the mood for muslim worldwide to welcome holy month of Ramadan,during which the faithful fast from dawn to dusk, praying and Thanking God for his blessing, helping the needy and atoning for mistakes.

Markets and Malls have reported brisk business as people stacked up on Groceries, fruits and vegetables besides breakfast specials, which vary from community to community. Life in real terms slows down during the month, with minimal daytime activities. But nights are hectic and colorful with people making up for lost eating time.

Non-Muslims are expected to respect the spirit of this fasting and abstain from eating, drinking and smoking in public places during day time.Breach of the restrictions invites punishment including deportation. Rarely they caught on the wrong foot as they willingly abide the norms.

Edwin  picardo2002us@yahoo.com 09/11/2002

Arac shops/pubs, besides inventing gossips such as 'a killed mouse (ili) turning into a tiger (huli)', have solved some mysteries.  For example, how did the expression "kicked the bucket" came about?

Once a local public figure was old, sick, and could die any minute.  Practically everyone from the village came to visit this sick man.  It was customary to feed a spoonful of water/milk/rice soup to the dying.  Hundreds of people were in line paying such homage.  The daughter-in-law got tired of providing tumblers and tumblers of water, after she ran out of milk, she brought a bucket full of water and kept it at the foot of the bed.  The old man drank too much, (being unable to say no,) thus his blood electrolyte (sodium, potassium etc.) levels went too low, and thus he succumbed to tremors and convulsions.  As he was convulsing the bucket got kicked, and created more work to the daughter-in-law!  Just at this time the physician arrived.  The daughter-in-law informed the doctor saying, "He is so strong, he just kicked the bucket."  The doctor examined and declared him dead and said,  'So, he kicked the bucket, hey?'

James Fernandes,  Jimtoxic@aol.com 07/11/2002

Memories of Deepavali

Santhegudde Cricketers, Barkur 07/11/2002

An evening at the arrack shop!

There is a saying that - if you want universal news you would rather sit in barber shop or go to an arrack shop. You will get all the news who is rising, who is falling - Delhi to Barkur, who is born and who went away.

Our Barkur arrack shop is one of a meeting place for those who cannot afford to have expensive liquor in a bar or at home, fearing that wife's botheration, irritation, involvement, and the worries about the children. So they prefer to visit Arrack Shop,as an escapade, where they can see known faces, get intoxicated, relieve all their problems, worries for the time being.

Normal daytime arrack shop is quiet and dull as most of the customers are working at a farm or at field. But they have their regular customers attending early in the morning- instead of having tea or coffee; they prefer to have refreshment drink! But evening hours are bursting with activity, seven to eight o clock is a peak hour. There is a dark bulb always burning if not
they use " gas light" (Petromax) so you can hide your face. Some festive occasion they arrange "Cock fighting", and a reason for  a big gathering and the festive mood.

Sometime if the shop is closed for expiry of the contract or may be because of the excise department raid, you can see the regular customers are mourning like they have lost someone close.

Manoj (.... Casual observer!....) 06/11/2002.

For us farmers, it is a great honour to see the Barkur  site coming out with a full fledged discussion on a subject concerning all of us – that is Food & Farming, we just picked  few days back.

Various snaps, footnotes, responses and feed back in your pages, already found a place in the thinkers mind, and now Archie’s Corner, article is just icing on the cake, make people to analyse and evaluate few of his suggestions…..!

He raised a doubt whether this message reach to the concerned……. surely reach….….for proof,  just look at the site….….may be many more, holding the pen, as I too agree it is subject with unlimited parameters…?

But my friends, whatever little you are doing, really worth million, keep it up….

Lastly, something to consider in the lighter vein, -  it is my wife’s version, -  why don’t Barkur site keep a contest to predict, what will be the next subject picked up for discussion or in Archie’s Corner…..? No hard feelings, Mr. Archie, please….!

With regards,

M.M.Alvares,  alvaresmm@hotmail.com. 05/11/2002

"Happy Deepawali" to Barkur and to all the visitors of Barkur.com.  As Santhegudde folks have mentioned, that this is the time to settle old accounts and open new accounts on new clean slate. 

I hope, in the new slate there is some room to discuss 'Co-operative Farming!'  Nobody is bound to any committment by discussing some pros and cons on any issues.  Thanks folks.

James Fernandes,  jimtoxic@aol.com 05/11/2002

Diwali
Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika.Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights.

The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship Laksmi. In the Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power.
On the second day Kali, the goddess of Strength, is worshipped. This day also focuses on abolishing laziness and evil.

On the third day (the last day of the year in the lunar calendar), lamps are lighted and shine brightly in every home. The lamp symbolizes knowledge and encourages reflection upon the purpose of each day in the festival. The goal is to remember the purpose throughout the year.

The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year. At this time, old business accounts are settled and new books are opened. The books are worshipped in a special ceremony and participants are encouraged to remove anger, hate, and jealousy from their lives.

On the final day (Balipratipada) of the festival, Bali, an ancient Indian king, is recalled. Bali destroyed the centuries old philosophies of the society. However, in addition to this, he is remembered for being a generous person. Thus, the focus of this day is to see the good in others, including enemies.

Santhegudde Cricketers, Barkur  04/11/2002

Happy Deepavali to all our friends at Barkur and  all visitors of this site. 
With lots of love,

Suresh B. suresh_ barkur@rediffmail.com 04/11/2002

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY DEEPAVALI

Mr. Rudolf D'Souza, President, Catholic Sabha, Barkur

Miss. Divya Furtado, President, I C Y M, Barkur

Mr. Alwyn D'Almeida, President, Rotaract Club, Barkur

Mr. Patrick D'Silva, President, S P V, Barkur

Mrs. Gladys D'Almeida, President, C L C, Barkur

Mr. Herald D'Souza, President, I C Y M - S J C

Rev. Fr. Sylvester D'Souza, Parish Priest, Barkur   04/11/2002

The article regarding farming in Archie's corner is to be brought to the center stage.  It's time we modernize our farming system.  I have a few points for you/us to ponder, prompted upon reading Archie's article:

Instead of losing saved money in failed/failing banks, a group of people could pool some money and channel it to buy some farm equipment and rent it to the farmers as and when necessary.  "There is no profit without risk."

I am sure there are 'farm subsidy' provisions/low interest loans, in Karnataka for equipment etc, but this ought to be a group effort.  'There is strength in unity.' Government does not come to our doors.  We have to go there.  Remember? "Unless the babies cry they don't get their milk!"  Very few mothers feed their babies before the babies cry!  Yes, we have to ask/knock, again and again even Christ encourages us to ask!

As Archie pointed out that fragmented or in my language 'saree size or loin cloth size' rice fields are no good for modern equipment and economically not feasible.

A group of 5 or 10 families, with collective 5 to 10 acres clustered/attached rice fields must cooperate to make this into one large rice field.  The area occupied by the 'bunds' in itself can add to the yield.  "It's cheaper by the dozen."

In the center of this 5 or 10 acre field, a man made pond or a wide well is to be dug to store water. You can raise some fish in this pond! There are natural water lines underground, or rain water gets captured.  Or there can be 'tube' wells.  Without water there is no life.

When necessary submergible pumps can be rented to water the second crops such as chillies, brinjals, sweet potatoes, or sugar canes.  Unless you produce more you cannot see profit.

To get these 5 or 10 families agree, measurement of the land and ownership claims (children's claims, etc. etc.) and paperwork; are probably the main impediments in cooperative farming.  (I guess, even to build a road, through the fields, some people could not co-operate.)  "There is no prosperity without roads, and without co-operation."  The sea fish in Sastan was fresher, but the same fish in Barkur market used to be stale! Because of transportation, in the 40's and 50's. I had not seen an ice cube then.
. As Archie pointed out, social workers, local leaders have to play their part in uniting people.  The local farmers need to be convinced, and some of them may never, but they may sell their lands.  Yes, it hurts to hear that fertile rice fields are left unattended without planting.

It's not just rice alone for four months in a year.  There ought to be 2 crops of rice per year for sure, and every alternative year three crops, (third being vegetables or grains.), thus the land must take rest, and it should be allowed to sun-bathe. "A rested land, yields thrice." they say!

We have to find a way to encourage our locally retained farmers.  They should be given some incentive.  Think about it.   If each one us gives a foreign shirt to our neighborhood farmer, other than just to our relatives, I am sure such smiles are worth our trips!

I believe there are plenty of milling mills, already.

Even water buffaloes used for ploughing, and milk producing buffaloes can be group raised, "Cooperative Buffalo Farm" instead of by individual farmer.  "Yes, folks, talk is cheap!"

Mr. Lewis wrote that growing vegetables is more profitable, and I do agree, if it's sold in richer markets.

Now that train station is in place, the produce can be sent to Bombay, and from Bombay to Dubai, easily.

And I am sure, a progressive minded Barkurian will find a way to export the shrimps, vegetables, etc to Middle East, and sell it to you our middle east readers of Barkur origin.   Please buy from this store!  Believe me, nothing is impossible!

The Cashew nuts I buy in Chicago are from South Kanara, and these are cheaper over here. But the farmer, the real grower, gets nothing. The middleman is getting richer.  Why can't some Barkurians be middlemen?

Let the 'Green Revolution of Barkur." Get greener.

Please read the article "Sagvoli/Agriculture' in memory lane.  Farming is a profession, and there is profit if managed well. That nameless fellow worked hard, but did not work smart!

PS.  Four brothers started a business over here in US.  The wives were bookkeepers, purchasing managers, handling daily expenses, travel expenses, meal expenses etc.  One brother ate a ten dollar meal, and the other ate a seven dollar meal.  Both the wives, argued saying my husband ate less and the other ate more, etc., , and even pulled each other's hair.  The outcome?  They had to close down the business because they could not get along.  If only they had risen above such pettiness?

"Rice is nice with some spice, even to the mice!"

 Thanks folks!

 James Fernandes,Jimtoxic@aol.com 04/11/2002