By Indira Rodericks

Need a good place to meditate and relax. Then head to the new Labyrinth walk situated within the Muktanand Peace Park at Saraswat Colony, Santacruz (West).
This is the first of its kind in India and has been designed by landscape consultant S. Kumar Shah. Shah, who is a regular at the garden, spoke to the Brahmakumris (who have developed and now maintain the garden) about a certain area within the park that has good vbrations. That's when he told them about developing a plot into a Labyrinth walk.
Labyrinths (translated it means a complicated network of passages) date back to 7,000 to 2,500 B.C. and are found in Greece, Europe, Scandanavia, Egypt, Russia, Iceland, Java, Sumatra, Morocco and Brazil.
The Labyrinth walk at the Peace Park is a circular path to be walked as a meditation tool. This path requires the walker to begin at the outside of the circle and wind slowly into the center and out again using the same path.
The Labyrinth can be of five, seven or 11 circuits, depending upon the space available. This one at the Peace Park is of seven circuits. Construction a Labyrinth walk may seem fairly simple, but you have to be an expert to get it fight. It involves laying bricks in a circular form and covering the ground with herbs over which sand has been placed. you have to walk barefoot to get the real benefits of a Labyrinth walk.
Said Brahmakumari Meera, "This park was initially maitained by municipal corporation. But for the past few years, we have been looking after its maintenance. It is open from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. But, although walking here is beneficial after sunrise and before sunset, we find people here all the time."
The well maintained five-acre park in the middle of the traditional Saraswat Colony is a preasant surprise, Neat rows of greenery, shrubs that have been sheared to shape, flowering plants, benches and a meditation bandstand is what completes the garden. The good part is that the are around the park is free from constructions.
Added Brahamakumari Meera, "For centuries Labyrinths have been used all over the world to help people take a sacred walk for meditation. It is truly to be walked as a meditation tool. Benefiting and healing the mind, body and soul, it creates heightened awareness, encourages introspection and allows for self transformation."

Britannia renovating Haji Ali traffic island
By A Staff Reporter

Yet another traffic island that will please the human eye no end is coming up at Haji Ali thanks to the Britannia Industries Limited. Actually, the island was adopted by the company way back in 1967, when letting out of traffic islands and gardens to private companies for development and maintenance was still in its infancy.

Over the years, the Haji Ali island was seen and appreciated. But Britannia felt sometime last year that the island needed a change. That a renovation was long overdue. So last October, M/s Green Thumb were appointed to give shape to the renovated island. The island, when it is completed in a couple of months from now, will be vastly different from its initial development.

Formerly the island boasted a lot of Mexican grass and sporadic beds of lantanna plants which grow perennially and can withstand sea breeze. The Fountain in the middle completed the island.

Now work is on furiously to add a little of everything to make the island even more eye-catching. There is a bit of Japan in the little bridge that has been constructed at one end, a bit of Mexico in the Mexican grass that dots the entire island and nearer home, a lot of Goa in the Goa stones that have been strategically placed all over the island.

Even the fountain is to undergo changes. Instead of a solitary sprinkler four more are to be added making for a uniform pattern of water drops. And to this ground floodlights of different colours in the fountain and one is sure to be dazzled by it all.

Other little additions are also bound to play their part when the island stands completed. Like the short bamboo sticks, cut out marble stones and pebbles, flower pot around the fountain and the attractive slope. The entire changed land scape has already become a talking point among motorists and passers-by.

There have been favourable com ments all around and justifiably so The modern pumping system and the numerous plants all over have seen to that among other things.

There will also be islands within an island. Six informal islands have also been arranged for in the main islands, each of a different colour scheme and plant and flower at rangement.

Once the traffic island is complete, Britannia will bear the cost of its maintenance. Undoubtedly the entire renovation has cost the company a substantial amount but off Flals see it as Britannia's contribution to making the city just that much of a better place to live in.