I have watched several TV series that were seminal to me…which shaped my thinking, and expanded my mental horizons. Of late, no one seems to know much about them, but I would like to disinter, from the past (and the ever-present internet!) one of my favourite series, “The Ascent of Man”.

I have seen this clip many, many times, but I suddenly realized that my friend had sent it to me...and it never fails to amaze me, so here it is:

My friend Geetanjali Dhar started a very worthwhile initiative for the children in the gated community where she, her husband Subir, and daughter Avantika, live. They go regularly for adventure activities in the weekends, and part of this is a birding trip, conducted by volunteers.

Everyone knows the importance of name-dropping….the casual statement that one knows Mr or Ms Soandso, subtly dropped into the conversation at the right time and the right place, ensures that many doors open for you, that were shut uptil now….

One of the best remedies I have for the blahs is…head out to some greenery (or, as it nowadays, the brownery.) So when I got a chance, even at 8am, to visit Turahalli, I jumped at it, and…the birds seem to just arrive to be sighted by Sharad!