Goose as a traffic cop?

I read this interesting news item in today's Dallas Morning News and felt that I must share it with the readers of my blog. This is a everyday phenomenon in Rowlett city of Texas. A big goose helps cops in traffic management and ensuring that children are safe. The goose stands in the middle of the road and helps students cross the road. The children who were initially surprised to see this winged aquatic creature are not comfortable with it.

Since several months the goose has become so much part of the traffic and school scene that it has been named Sam by the friendly guards and school staff. It is completely intriguing how a wild goose is behaving so much human. Trained dogs and some species of birds are used to help in various human activities but a wild goose that too helping in managing traffic is unheard of. Truly the world is such a diverse and intriguing place.

The story just doesn't end there. Read on to know the incredible story of losing a pet and getting it back after 16 years. This is truly a story worth reading repeating. Isn't it? Your views are solicited.

Smallest girl in the world

I received a set of pictures and information about this tiny teenager from India who has been adjudged as the smallest girl in the world. Looking at the amazing medical condition (dwarfism) which has stunted the growth of this girl I felt I must share it with the readers of my blog.

Born and brought up in India, Jyothi Amge (14), is just 1ft 11in (58cm) tall. No wonder she is the smallest girl in the world. Jyoti is shorter than the average two-year-old child and only weighs 11lb (5kg). She suffers from a medical condition called achondroplasia wihch prevents her from growing taller. In effect she has reached the ultimate height she could ever grow.

When I read about this adorably abnormal teenager I remembered the 18th century (1726-1735) book Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, which I had read during my high school days. In the book the protagonist travels across the world visiting strange lands. During one of his travels he gets shipwrecked and becomes a prisoner in the land of Liliputs, tiny human beings barely 6 inches tall.

Jyothi though a wee bit larger than the legendary Liliputs, could easily evoke such memories and imagination. She is one of those people in the world who has to get everything custom made. Clothes, jewellery, furniture, everything has to be custom made to her size. She sleeps in a tiny bed and uses special plates and cutlery to eat.

Having supportive parents and community she attends a mainstream school in Nagpur, central India. She has her own small desk and chair, and her classmates treat her like any other student. Just because she is of tiny stature Jyoti hasn't lost out on life. Like any other teenaged girl, she is interested in fashionable dresses, music, latest DVDs etc.

"I am proud of being small. I love all the attention I get. I'm not scared of being small and I don't regret it. I'm just the same as other people. I eat like you, dream like you. I don't feel any different," says Jyoti who has already attained celebrity status in her home town. This has helped her get into the glamour biz and she is soon going to be a pop singer of fame. She is releasing a Indi-pop album with Indian pop star Mika Singh (Daler Mehendi's brother).

Her parents Kishanji (52) and Ranjana Amge (45) simply dote on their little girl. "When Jyoti was born, she seemed quite normal. We came to know about her disorder when she was five. We consulted a specialist and he said she will be this size all of her life. Jyoti is small, yet cute, and we love her very much," says Ranjana emphatically.

"I can't separate myself from her even for a single day.. I love her very much. She makes me proud," declares Kishanji categorically.

As for Jyoti, she dreams of becoming a Bollywood star. "I would love to work in a big city like Mumbai, act in films and travel," says Jyoti.

Little steps make even the longest journey possible and Jyoti has already started in the right direction.

Earth Day Celebrations at Dallas

Yesterday was Earth Day in America, a day when people remembered the importance of Mother Earth and talked about the importance of conserving the environment, saving the earth etc etc. When anything happens in Texas, it is always in Texas Size, likewise the Earth Day celebrations were also in equal proporation. Only in Dallas city area there were seven events conducted parallely and this was pegged as the biggest celebration in the US.

We got an invite from a India-oriented non-profit VT SEVA based in Dallas area for the Earth Day celebrations at the Lake Cliff Park in Oak Cliff, Dallas. Always to be part of any Eco-friendly event we went to take a look. Well, it was truly a multi-cultural, multi-faceted and colourful event and well worth visiting. According to the organisers 120 Plus businesses/ non-profits had put up their stalls. Most of them were from environment-friendly and green organisations trying to make people aware of how they can inculcate eco-friendly habits in various aspects of life. Water conservation, green electricity, organic T-shirts, jewellery, recycled picture frames, trekking, mountain biking etc were all being promoted.

The part I liked about the event was the showcasing of several myriad forms of music and dance at the venue. Two stages set up at the venue and parallel dance and music performances carried on throughout the day. Performances ranged from African Mambo Dance to choir singing and from Sanskrit Shloka recitation to Cheerleading. The performances were unique, elegant and very appealing. It is interesting to note that so many cultures exist oblivious of each other and when they come together it feels so beautiful and good. Problem starts when one starts saying we are superior than others. This kind of attitude hurts people and leads to a clash of civilisations.



Let me say something about the venue, the Lake Cliff Park. This park is one of the premier green spaces in South Dallas area. Nearly 70 percent of the park comprises of a large lake and rest of it is either sprawling manicured lawns, rolling woods with neat and clean walking and cycling trails. The park also has a dedicated chidren's play area, amphitheatre, several gazebos and restrooms.

Family that has shunned cars
I met Kenny and his cute daughters at the venue. Kenny is an ardent eco-advocate and loves cycling. He has a road bike and a mountain bike and both of them have a pannier/ side car to carry his little daughters. He stopped driving two years ago and he commutes "Solely by bicycle". I am impressed by Kenny's dedication and willingness to give up comforts of driving in a country where cars keep getting bigger and muscular. I am glad I met someone who shares my thought line, I am now more eagerly looking for a bike on Craigslist so I can join this small minority of cyclists who are pushing pedals for environment.