March 9, 2016: A partial solar eclipse fully eclipsed by the clouds..

March 9, 2016 had a partial solar eclipse which was partially visible from the east coast of India and we at Pondicherry Science Forum had hoped to catch a glimpse this which was supposed to have 24% obscuration from 6.20 to 6.47 am. We had informed the Science Centre attached to the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of Puducherry and Mr.Sathish and Sivakumar had also come to the Puducherry beach by about 6AM in the morning. We could see that the Thanthi TV had already set up their camera for uplinking to their channel.

The Gandhi Statue was a beautiful spot for all those who have visited Puducherry and against the morning sky, the silhouette of the statue was a beautiful site.






We could see thick clouds at the horizon but we hoped that by the sunrise time, they would move away or at least as the sun rises, we will be able to get at least a partial glimpse of the partial eclipse.  Though there were only about 20 minutes left for the sun to rise, the wait seemed to so long. The clouds stayed still thick at the horizon.








People seeing the TV camera, the telescope and the PSF team which included Aravindraja, Dakshinamurthy, Meena, Sengodethevan, Hemavathi, Maran etc started gathering near the beach front.


Looking at the sea and the clouds, I took a couple of shots which was interesting patterns of clouds.

I could also see a couple of catamarans which has started their fishing activity early in the morning totally oblivious of the eclipse going to happen. For most people, there are not much superstitions around the eclipse. Interestingly it is the religious middle class who give too much importance to these eclipses and the superstitions around them. For ordinary labourers, I dont think, they have the luxury of keeping themselves closed in their homes, or deciding to cook only after the eclipse is over etc. For them, even a day's wages lost is a huge loss.

It was already 6.20 am, then 6.21 am..and still there was no sign of the Sun emerging from the clouds. The eclipse was already on and was its maximum of 24% but the clouds would not oblige. Finally by 6.45 am, the top portion of the Sun emerges from the clouds but we knew that the moon would be blocking only the bottom hemisphere of the Sun's disc. THere was just 2 minutes left for the eclipse to get over and the chances were very meagre to catch a glimpse.

Anyhow, there was already a long que at  telescope to view the emerging sun and with a solar filter fitted, it was of course an amazing visual to watch the sun through the telescope which everybody do not get a chance...

And there, at 6.48 am just when the eclipse was completed and the moon would have moved out of the earth-sun line, the Sun emerged out of the clouds and here is the photo on the left side.

Anyhow, solar eclipses are still going to occur many more times, and I may still get chances to view them and even photograph them.. IT was a good day, to interact with lots of people, public and explain to them that it was the moon just crossing in between the sun and the earth and there was nothing to worry as proclaimed by the temple authorities all over India. IT is indeed an occasion to be cautious since viewing the eclipse with naked eyes could take away your precious eye sight..

A memorable day, though the clouds did the eclipsing , the one hour spent on the Puducherry beach road was satisfying and a couple of photos made my day too..

A school and a programme: Govt. High School, Kodathur, Puducherry.

We all have gone through our own schools. From the first school to where you have passed out your 10th standard. All of them have beautiful memories. Sweet memories. I still remember my first school in Thottekkad, in Pulpatta near Manjeri in Malappuram distrit of Kerala State where we used to walk about 4 km every day to school climbing two small hillocks, passing a couple of brookes, and the day the school reopened, we will be welcomed by the fresh rains ... Schools always bring nostalgic memories to you..

As part of the ongoing Water Festival 2016 which we are organising in Puducherry, Aurovile, Villupuram and Cuddalore (PAVC) bio region, I have been visiting a good number of rural schools in Pondicherry as well as a few in TN districts of Cuddalore and VIllupuram as well. One such school was the Govt High School, Kodathur. While one goes to Thirukkanur via Vazhuthavoor, you take a right turn at Muttrampattu and you are there. A small beautifully located school. It was established in the year 1957 almost a decade before I was borne. The HM Mrs.Pushparoja and the Science Teacher Ms.Hemalatha and other staff welcomed me. My friend Alexander was already there setting up the banners and posters giving water conservation messages etc.The school has about 300 students.

I was moved by the affection and care given by the teachers and HM of the school and the importance they gave to the programme. While conversing with the children, I could feel the energy and happiness of the children. May be it is because they enjoyed the programme which was different from their daily routine classes. May be they got a chance to answer the question we put to them, or may be because they felt empowered in giving their suggestions for conserving the water. The staff told us we could come back anytime for such awareness programmes.

I felt happy because if at all, the All for Water for All collective which is organizing the programme have achieved anything is reaching out to these young children who feel energetic and are better informed than actually I was during this age. Or is it that we did not have these issues in our times? Or is it that we just did not realize it then?

More schools, more children, there is a need for many more such initiatives like the All for Water for All collective or movements like the Pondicherry Science Forum and the like in many states which are part of the People's Science Movements (PSMs) to take these issues to the people and make them aware that unless we act today, tomorrow will be too late...

Waterman of India- Sri.Rajendra Singh at Pondicherry

Pondicherry Science Forum with a host of voluntary organisations and NGOs, govt. departments, farmers' associations, activist groups from Puducherry, Auroville, Villupuram and Cuddalore (PAVC) which forms a bioregion came together to form a People's Collective called the All for WATER for All (All for Water, Water for All) and launched a sever week long Water Festival 2016.



This was launched on the 2nd February 2016, the World Wetlands' Day and will go upto 22nd March 2016 which is the World Water Day.


The entire bioregion is divided into 7 sub regions and in each bioregion 7 days of activities would be held - total 7 sub regions and 7 weeks - to have a massive outreach programme to reach out to the children, women, youth, farmers, and the general public - to create an effective awareness programme around water in the entire bioregion.


In this connection, we had the Waterman of India - Sri.Rajendra Singh visiting Pondicherry on the 5th of March 2016 where he joined a team of bird watching in the morning around the Ousitteri Lake, the largest lake in Pondicherry. Later he interacted with the public at Sharanam near Ousitteri Lake.


He appreciated the efforts of the All for WATER for All collective and individual and collective efforts of Pondicherrians in protecting its water resources.


Some photos of Sri Rajendra Singhji during his interactions.