Soudhamini-the Green View Apartments: Saudhamani Apartments- the Ecology Part-I

Saudhamani Apartments -the Ecology -Part-I

by

Satish Kalra

Photographs Courtesy: Nancie DiSilverio, New York

Management Committee at Saudhamani will complete three years in Sep 2017. On the eve of fresh elections we are pleased to share the Ecology of the place and it will be appropriate to term it as Clean and Green Complex.

नीले गगन के तले.... धरती का प्यार पले

It is great satisfaction that Saudhamani is situated far from the maddening crowd and pollution. There is a cover of Blue sky quite often covered with Clouds. There is no chemical or sound pollution here. Even the sound of the vehicles passing on the Kanakpura Road does not disturb.

In the Shadow of Ganga Kutir and Vishalakshi Mandap

Many of us have the satisfaction that we are living in apartment from where we can see the Karam Kshetra & Sadhana Kshetra of our master: the Ganga Kutir and Vishalakshi Mandap. It leaves one with the feeling that the master is showering his blessings always.

The Podium

The podium is the main landmark & centre of attraction. It is surrounded by blocks A to G. The beauty of a landscape lies in designing outdoors in such a way that aesthetics are brought out nicely and the residents feel happy to be there at leisure. Built on basement the podium is not ideal for deep rooted trees and water body. But it is well designed to have not only a water body but 19 trees, four green corners and eight flower beds for seasonal or evergreen flowering bushes. It has a Canopy, an amphitheater, a lush green lawn, a plaza and kids corner. Since no vehicles are allowed in the area the children and residents particularly the senior citizens can roam about without any problems. We must complement SSRPL and Dr Prabhakar Rao, the Landscape Architect who designed this.

The Canopy

The canopy in the podium built in Kerala style architecture gives a very pleasant look. The brick red tiles and red granite gel well with the matching wall red & white colors of the apartments and give contrast to the green plants. It is surrounded by water body wherein we had a couple of ducks for quite some time. The fountains in the evenings on festive occasion provide very pleasant spectacle. We had many Satsangs and pot luck dinners around this in the last three years. Children love to play here different skits & games. Many may not be knowing that we have a Havan Kund in the canopy which can be used sometime.

The Wisdom Tree

The wisdom tree (Ficus religiosa - Peepal) in the square enclosed by D & E Blocks is very pious. It is reported that this was planted as per the advice of Guruji himself. It is coming up nicely even though it may not grow to full extent as this is also on a floor over the basement.

Besides, there are 19 trees on the podium.

There are four trees of Champa on four corners of the water body in the podium. The white flowers of these trees adorn the garden round the year and many residents find these flowers handy for Pooja at home.

चम्प्पा

Another group of nine trees are on the north west section of the plaza. These trees are supposed to adorn in such a way that there is enough shade and sun. These have pale green leaves give the shade but do not obstruct the useful sunlight. Yoga enthusiasts are seen doing Surya Namaskaars in this area. Senior Citizens find it very relaxing to sit near these trees.

The Plaza
Another wisdom tree on the podium is above the kids corner and provides rich oxygen to the children when they come to play merry-go-round/ see-saw games. In addition there are two neem trees on the podium. Enough for medicinal needs of the residents.

The Kids Corner & Surroundings