I'm a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in St. Paul. It is nice to see that Fr. Tony is keeping his ties to his homeland. I look forward to reading his articles as they come out.

Washing/Cleaning of the Tanks I am surprised to read that money is available to clean the silt from the pond/tank (Arasi Kere.) The Politicians must be really powerful these days. The times have really changed for sure. When I was growing up in the outskirts of Barkur, Moodahadu Village, there used to be and still is a very historic water tank called Thirthabailu Kere. The legend has it that when Rama and Sita were spending their 14 years as Vanavasies, they rested at this place. Sita wanted to take a shower. But the pond had hardly any water. Rama prayed for water or performed a miracle saying ‘Water shall not dry from this pond.’ It is true this tank has never gone dry! The water was used to wash clothes, (dhobi ghat), ablutions, swimming lessons, and to water animals and fields, specially the second suggi crop. Aptly, the name ‘thirtha’ fits very well indeed. A well maintained tank indeed. Every two or three years this tank used to get de-silted. There was no Govt. or temple money to get the job done. All the neighbor hood families, including women and children, helped empty the water, carry the silt to the fields, caught the fish, and had a good time. If you ever used the water from this tank, then it is your duty to help the cleanup. That was the unwritten rule or the law of the land. And everyone respected this community practice. I enjoyed catching fish from this tank. However, the fish used to smell like the ‘blue-bar’ soap!

Season's greetings to all. Congratulatons to Barkur.com team. This is a great achievement to us BARKURIANS to have a website of our own. Thank you for keeping us in touch with BARKUR with day to day news. Keep up the good work. Our condolences to all Barkurians on Mr Budan Saheb's sad demise. May his soul rest in peace. Best wishes

Mrs Anitha Shanker Uppoor, Muscat 16/07/2003

WE FEEL OVERWHELMED TO SEE A FULL PAGE DEDICATED TO OUR MASTIAMMA GARADI TEMPLE AT BENNEKUDRU. THANKS AGAIN.

Wishing a 'Speedy Completion' of this Herculian task of renovating this  Historic Shree Kula Mahastri Amma Devasthana in Bennekudru.

Friends, is it not the Mountains and Seas we conquer, but ourselves!  Diana Fernandes to start with and related suppliments, on 'Liqures serving  in Public' really brought-out few informative points. I feel, whatever with-in  limits enjoyable one! The scenario back home changed a lot, people are well  behaved in functions and programmes. At times, 'mixing-up of variety of drinks'  creates some hicups to few, so organisers must take care here and should not  cross limits. 15/07/2003

Any thing in excess is bad! Water is essential, however, if you drink a bucket of water, it's bad! It can dilute your circulating blood in your body and cause the rupture of blood  cells! I am not a physician to comment any further! Actually, I know a few guys, who  know how to circumvent the situation of ?alcohol being not served.? Just as, you carry  your own medications, snuff, beedi, or cigarettes, why not carry a small pint with you?

Drink in moderation, for ?appetite?, ?digestive?, ?therapeutic?, or for 'calming down  your nerves' reasons, (preferably not on empty stomach,) without making a scene! No,  I am not advocating this method of drinking, however, just reporting that some people practice this, in silence, without bothering anybody. I am happy to note that many are involved in this discussion. Sorry to hear that some families get ruined and it is difficult  to watch such families fail in life. Thats what happens if we let alcohol control us.

I read on this site that help is available for alcoholics. This whole discussion on ? alcoholism? with so many people joining in the debate, calls for a celebration! ?I need a beer, folks, just one!?  

Quitting Smoking It is not easy. With every cigarette you smoke your body takes in a miniscule quantity of nicotine. Nicotine increases the levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in the brain. This helps you feel good.

Soon the body craves for nicotine for a feel good. This is what keeps you smoking through the day. When you smoke a cigarette nicotine disperses rapidly and reaches the brain. You probably take 10 puffs from a cigarette. And if you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, brain is taking 200 hits of nicotine. Your cigarette is an effective drug delivery system. To give this up is not easy. Even if your mind has decided to do it, your body is going to rebel against it. But then, if you don?t, too much is at stake?.

What is in a Cigarette? 

There are nearly 4000 chemicals in a cigarette. Atleast 43 of the ingredients is carcinogenic (cancer causing). Here is a sampling: Acetic Acid (Corrosive to respiratory tract) Acetone (used in nail polish removers.) Ammonia. (Used in floor and toilet cleaners) Arsenic (a poison) Cadmium (Car battery Fluid) Carbon Monoxide (interferes with the supply of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body) DDT/ dielderon (Insecticides) Ethanol (Alcohol) Formalin (used in preserving human tissue and fabric) Hexamine (used in explosive compounds) Hydrogen Cyanide (Poison) Methane (Petroleum Gas) Naphthalene (used in moth balls) Nicotine (Schedule 6 Poison) Nitro Benzene  (a petrol additive) Phenols (used in disinfectants) Stearic Acid (used in candle wax) Toluene (Industrial solvent) Vinyl Chloride (used in PVC)

What is tar?'

Does a low tar cigarette decrease health risk? ?Tar? is the total particulate matter that is inhaled when you draw on a lighted cigarette. It is the stuff that stains your fingers and turns your teeth yellow. Regulations have brought down the tar component in cigarettes, as tar is associated with a proportional increase in lung cancer. However, there is no evidence to show ? low tar? cigarettes lower risk of Coronary disease. What does cigarette do to health? Tobacco is more addictive than hashish.

Major health issue for smokers:

1. They die younger. If you check the number of dead in the younger age groups, there are more smokers than non smokers. Death risk increases in proportion to number of cigarettes smoked, number of years smoked, and earlier the age at which smoking is started.

2. Cancer. Cancer causing substances are readily absorbed into the body of non smoker. There is no safe level of exposure. Cigarette smoking increases risk of lung cancer. The risk for moderate smokers is 12 times and for heavy smokers 24 times as non-smokers. Other cigarette related cancers are mouth cancer, laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer esophageal cancer, stomach cancer and bladder cancer.

3. Heart Attack (Cigarette smokers have 70% more heart attacks than non-smokers.)

4. Chronic Bronchitis

5. Emphysema 6. Pulmonary infections

7. Stroke

8. Cataract Second hand Tobacco smoke is harmful to people who stay close to you.

Benefits of Quitting Smoking 

After 20 min Blood Pressure & Pulse rate return to normal. After 8 hrs Oxygen levels in the blood returns to normal. Chances of heart attack start falling. After 24 hrs Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body. Lungs clear out mucus and other debris. After 48 hrs Nicotine no longer detectable in the body. Ability to taste and smell is improved. After 72 hrs Breathing becomes easier as bronchial tubes relax. Energy level increases. After 2 - 21 weeks Circulation improves throughout the body. After 3 - 9 months Breathing problems such as coughing, shortness of breath & wheezing decrease. Overall lung function increases by 5 - 10% After 5 yrs Risk of heart attack falls to about half of that of a smoker. After 10 yrs Risk of lung cancer falls to about half of that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to about the same as non - smokers.

Some Quitting Facts:

Stopping tobacco step by step is difficult. Stopping it at once is easier. There are no harmful effects in stopping tobacco suddenly. The problems that are caused by stopping tobacco are temporary and will last for only 5 to 7 days. These are nothing compared to diseases like cancer, heart attack etc., caused by tobacco usage.

Coping Strategies 1. Take a day at a time. 2. Postpone each cigarette by one hour 3. Do not buy in packs. Do not keep a stock of cigarettes / tobacco. 4. Tell your family, friends and colleagues that your are going to quit tobacco and want their support. 5. Change your environment a. Get rid of all  cigarettes and ash trays in your house b. Make your home a tobacco free zone. 6. Craving stage does not last for more than 5 minutes. Wait out the craving.