A couple of dodgy topics

In the past three days, a couple of grey areas have surfaced around me.

First, there was an unethical wildlife tourism practice that was debated on a conservation mailing list. The page has since been pulled down by Mahindra, but here's a cached copy as it appeared 3 days ago.

Some might feel that this is a grey area, but I feel that baiting/feeding wildlife for tourism purposes sets a dangerous precedent and should hence be nipped in the bud.

While this debate was playing out, I started noticing a particular ad very often on facebook. Here's a screenshot



When I just heard from a couple of others that they've been seeing the same ad recently, it seemed like too much of a coincidence.

But then, if you look at this and put it in perspective, it is scary. This is eerily accurate ad-targetting online.

George Orwell was right. He just got the year wrong !

insomnia

Recovering from a viral fever and cold. Slept through all of yesterday and most of today. And now wide awake with a sore throat and being hassled by koels and barn owls.

Living amidst birds & vegetation is not so good when you are trying to catch some shuteye.

Thank you Mr Kalmadi

Once upon a time in Bangalore, there was this vast stretch of marshy land dotted with lakes. It was a haven for all manner of aquatic life. Now there was one particular piece of marsh right in the middle of this place. A vast stretch of soggy, marshy land that was a lair for many aquatic birds. It even hosted migrants such as the endangered Siberian crane. Residents of the area recognized the privilege and kept their peace. Until one fine day in 1997, something terrible happened - Mr Suresh Kalmadi.

Unfortunately, Bangalore was chosen to host the National Games. And this entire ecosystem was to be wiped out to build accommodation for the athletes. The usual cycle of civil protest happened - walks, petitions, letters to editors - to no avail. The marsh was summarily land-filled and a hideous monstrosity of an apartment complex was quickly put up.

A decade hence. There are fewer lakes and more malls in the area. The athletes came and went. The birds went and never came. The hideous monstrosity remains hideous. Its called the National Games Village and the area is Koramangala.

PS: Thank you Mr Kalmadi for inflicting the same vandalism on other cities. Those of us who have a long memory expected nothing better from you.