'Salim Ali - The Bird Man of India' is the new title from Amar Chitra Katha's bag to salute Dr Salim Ali, the man who brought the natural world closer to people. Dr. Asad Rahmani, Director of Bombay Natural History society launched the new title at Hornbill house in the presence of other wildlife enthusiasts.
For ACK Media, the leading Education and Entertainment Company for children, this has been an opportunity to acquaint young readers with a man who is an icon for all those who believe in the protection and conservation of the natural world. According to Ms. Reena Puri, Editor- Amar Chitra Katha, "ACK Media is proud to associate with Bombay Natural History society in launching this title. She further adds, "Amar Chitra Katha has had stories from mythology, history and literature. We have not done anything on natural history. Wildlife and its conservation are a very important part of contemporary thought. With Salim Ali we make a beginning and hope to write more about people and movements associated with this subject."
While launching the book, Dr. Asad Rahmani, Director of Bombay Natural History Society said, "We are very proud to launch the Amar Chitra Katha title on Salim Ali and thank ACK Media for this initiative. Salim Ali is one of the early conservationists, whom we associate most with conservation and the environment in India. When Salim Ali was only a child, he got his first lesson in ornithology from WS Millard, then the secretary of the BNHS. Millard helped him identify a Yellow-throated sparrow. Over the years, Salim Ali's interest in birds led to his close association with the BNHS. After Independence, he was among those who wrote to the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru asking for financial assistance to support BNHS. He conducted surveys, and studied birds across the country, providing the foundation upon which a lot of today's naturalists work."
The new Amar Chitra Katha title, Salim Ali - The Bird Man of India portrays the noted ornithologist as someone completely passionate about birds and nature. It narrates the story of the man who had no thought for money, fame, comfort or even safety, as he went about single-mindedly trying to learn as much about the birds of India as he could. Salim Ali's systematic surveys and fascinating books on Indian birds introduced thousands of people to the wealth of the natural world around them. He demonstrated that one doesn't need to have any expensive equipment to learn about a bird -- just time, patience, and a willingness to listen, observe and think.
It took 8 months to complete the new title on Dr. Salim Ali. Speaking about her extensive research scriptwriter, Shalini Srinivasan highlights, "I referred to his autobiography, The fall of a sparrow and other books like Salim Ali for Schools -- by Zai Whittaker; Salim Ali- India's Birdman -- by Reena Dutta Gupta. Thorough discussions with his relatives Laeeq and Zafar Futehally who have also worked with him and the BNHS and environmentalists Vijayan and Gadgil also helped me a lot in knowing about him. We also referred to BNHS archival material from the library for our research for the script."
The Amar Chitra Katha title on Salim Ali - The Bird Man of India will be available at all book stores and stands from 26th April @ Rs.50/-.
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