Page 3 Tiger

It was a programme devoted to Save the Tiger.

Hence, I found it a little difficult--and forgive me for also being perplexed, foxed --as i tried to place the significance of that beautiful, brassy blonde dressed (or is it the other way around?) in shimmering red silks gyrating to Kiss me..kiss me ..kiss me (i wonder, if she was entreating the tiger, and knew what she was letting herself in for)
No, i am not being a spoilt sport-I do not mind 'em item numbers, and shimmering silks), but not at the backdrop of the desperate, bitter battle to Save the Tiger.

I will not name the function-or the organisers (and not just because this is just one of the many similar 'valiant' attempts in saving the tiger). I am sure they meant well. And i know there were those present, whose heart beat, and bled for the tiger. Even as they cringed at the irony, the weirdness of it all--not quite comprehending, but perhaps accepting that this was the new way to do things.
It has been done before. It will be done again.
Saving tigers--and children-and the starving millions by the Champagne Circuit.

I know--I think--this is how the message was driven home--amongst the politicians, the corporates--people who 'matter', people with the money, and the power, but perhaps not the will to go down to the lonely forest chowki in the heart of the remote forest, to confront reality, and to salute the man who protected the tiger--
without a steady wage, with no protection against poacher and beast..."

No offense meant here(not to People, and certainly not 'beast', but is food for thought. )

A fairy-tale we should have read: Brilliant!

"Once upon a time, in a land far away, a beautiful, independent, self-assured princess happened upon a frog as she sat, contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted pond in a verdant meadow near her castle. The frog hopped into the princess' lap and said: Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome prince, until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper, young prince that I am and then, my sweet, we can marry and setup housekeeping in your castle with my mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, and forever feel grateful and happy doing so. That night, as the princess dined sumptuously on a repast of lightly sautéed frog legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled and thought to herself: I don't ******* think so."

Random thoughts ...on the Tiger..

A tiger must live like a Tiger. Live like a King, not a fugitive, in its domain. Persecuted by poaching. Cornered by conflict. Hounded by Homo sapeins. Tormented in captivity. Struggling in shrinking forests.
Poisoned, trapped, shot, beaten, burgeoned, speared..to death.
Skinned, chopped. Sold.
The Tiger: Forest Deity, Water God, symbol of fertility and immortality. Emblem of Power. Of good over evil.
The tiger: Majestic, elegant, powerful, wild: The most beautiful expression of life on Earth.
A tiger must live,
…And die, like a Tiger.

A New Dawn...

This year, when we raise the toast for a ‘Happy New Year’, I would like to spare a thought for…

*Our wildlife who must battle all odds for survival. May 2012 be an easier year for them. Lord, protect them, and their home.

*Those who protect our wilds. Who will ring in the New Year, away from their family in the remotest of forests, without electricity and other basic comforts that we take for granted--for the sake of the tiger..

*To all those dogs-unwanted,unloved,neglected- residing in homes, but not in hearts. And those who must wander outside, without the security and warmth of home.

I work for wildlife, battle to save the tiger and other animals..it maybe said that there is much i 'do' for them. Maybe, i am not to judge, all I can say, as i ring in the New Year, is what the tiger, the wilds 'do' for me. I am what I am today, thanks to them: My work, and all the goodwill that I am fortunate to have, I owe them.

And as we ring in 2012, a new dawn..I want to thank all of you-who made this year--and my life-special. My family, my friends..and other animals :-)

My mantra...

My mantra (thanks Dr Schaller): "I learned long ago that conservation has no victories, that one must retain connections and remian involved with animals and places that have captured the heart, to prevent their destruction. I am sometimes asked why, given a world that is more wounded and scarred, I do not simply give up, burdenned by pessimism. But conservation is my life, I must retain hope..."

Nature...

"Protected Areas obstruct development. Forests are liabilities. Sanctuaries and National Parks...no, no, we don't want those. They are best not declared.
They will stop 'development.'
Stop mines and super expressways and malls and multiplexes from coming up."
You know, Shining India.
But my friends, India won't shine when the sanctuaries are silent and empty, when the forest vanishes, when the last tree falls.
Our soils nourished by the forests and streams will cease to produce.
The poisoned, sterile land will fail to feed us.
And the rivers, born of the forests, will wither and die.
The foundation of not just development, but life is Nature.
Each one of us should know this truth.
Know and respect Nature, for she nurtures us.
Especially those in whose hands we have entrusted this trust.

need i say more...

From The Hindu. spotted by Paramjit Singh
I am unaware who the cartoonist is, please help, if someone knows, so due credit can be given.