the Tortoise story !!

A Tortoise or is that a Turtle ? – can you imagine where this was filmed !! 

 

There are many stories involving tortoise, the most popular being  its winning a race against a hare.  Then there  is  this  interesting story of ‘tortoise flying’ and ‘speaking madly’ in Panchatantra.   Once upon a time, there was a tortoise by the name of Kambugriva and two geese by the name of Sankata and Vikata.  When the local pond dried up totally, the geese offered to  shifting the tortoise by air, with firm advice that it should keep its mouth shut throughout.  The geese took each side of a lengthy sticky, to which tortoise was to hang by holding on its mouth…… midway, curious to answer, the tortoise spoke, opening its mouth, letting off the stick in the process, fell down and died……..  Moral : listen to friendly advice and never speak when not required.   

Again, never try to replicate everything.  ‘"I think, therefore I am’ - is a philosophical Latin statement.  The simple meaning of the phrase is that someone wondering whether or not he or she exists is, in and of itself, proof that something, an "I", exists to do the thinking.  Don’t extend that logic mindlessly.  Tortoise don’t fly, you also don’t – don’t connect and say’ tortoises don’t fly; I also don’t and there I am a tortoise !!” 

Some confusion on what is a Turtle and Tortoise – understand that a division of reptiles called Chelonia  includes turtles, tortoises and terrapins. In general, the reptiles referred to as turtles live in or near the water and have adapted to swim by holding their breath underwater. The reptiles referred to as tortoises typically live primarily in arid regions and are built for storing their own water supply and walking on sandy ground.  

Under cover of darkness, baby olive ridley turtles hatch from sun-warmed eggs on remote beaches.  Not all of  the little hatchlings   make it across the beach and into the ocean without losing  their way or being captured by predators.  India has been a breeding ground for Olive Ridley turtles. 

Recently, Odisha government clamped a seven-month-long prohibition on sea fishing activity  within 20 km of the coast in Kendrapara where Olive Ridley turtles come ashore to nest and lay eggs.  A forest department official said the areas notified include the sea surrounding the mouths of rivers Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya to ensure the safety of marine animals like the Olive Ridley turtles during their mating and breeding season. The measure, which is taken every year,  comes in force from November 1 to May 31 in the Olive Ridley turtle habitation corridors in the accordance with the provisions of Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982 and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.   The prohibition is clamped every year as the turtles perish in larger numbers by getting entangled in fishing nets or by being hit by propellers of fishing trawlers, the official said.

This turtle was pictured at Kairavini thirukkulam – the temple tank of Sri Parthasarathi swami at   Triplicane.

 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
6.12.2023