The Chilling Lub-Tub Encounter | Face-to-Face with a Wild Elephant 💚

A Morning on the Ghats |My Heart-Stopping Elephant Encounter

14th September 2026

#intothewildwithrufus #birding

As they say, there’s nothing quite like unto the peace, the serenity and the invigorating calm of the dawn, especially when you’re driving down the ghat roads.

Well, early into the morning today, I was driving down thus, through the winding mountain roads after a deeply rewarding solo trip, having had a blessed darshan of the birds, bears, bees, butterflies, and yes, the untamed beauty of the hills.

And what’s more! I was the only soul heading downhill that early, even while a steady stream of vehicles was busy making their way up!

And then… nature decided to give me the utmost surprise and shock of a lifetime!

Right there, midway across the main road, were two magnificent wild elephants casually claiming the ghat roads as their own. 😊 Oh yes it really is theirs for the keeps, you see! 😊

Guess what? My heart began to race fast, faster, fastestttt… We all were engrossed watching the sight, mesmerised… from both sides of the road!

The first female so dutifully and gracefully crossed the road, slipping silently into the deep green ravine below. Her companion, however, was in no rush. I guess, she had resolved that, it was the perfect time and place to get a little sporty!

First came the mud bath - a joyful, display of wild freedom right in the middle of the road.

But then, she turned and started ambling directly toward my car.

For a second, panic nay a panic attack set in.

My heart went into absolute overdrive mode you see! - a frantic, racing lub-tub, lub-tub mode! Indeed, I was completely frozen, not knowing what to do!

But… as I watched this incredible sight right in front of my eyes, my fear gave way to pure awe. I decided to simply breathe, respect her space, and enjoy the magic while it lasted.

So it was, that, I tried to muster up a brave show of “gallantry” (safely from behind my steering wheel, of course 😉), grabbing my phone to capture this unforgettable moment for our ‘Untravelled Worlds’ YouTube Channel.

It was quite cinematic by all means! Yes! At last, I finally gathered the courage to drive right through, inching past quite boldly with this beautiful giant barely a few feet away from me! 

You may want to watch the full encounter on our channel HERE, and yes! you absolutely don’t want to miss the grand finale (that’s coming up tomorrow) 😊

The Dancing Indian Chameleon | A Rare Encounter on a Forest Road

India’s Only Chameleon Species: A “Dancing” Encounter

#intothewildwithrufus

Today, while driving through a forest road, I chanced upon some tiny weeny animal-like something trying to cross the road in a very rhythmic cadence. For a moment, I panicked and ensured that, I carefully avoided it while flitting by the creature.

But my curiosity had already gotten the better of me, and so I impulsively did a quick U-turn and on drawing closer, I was surprised to find out that it was the Indian Chameleon, a reptile that’s unique only to the Indian subcontinent!

​Indeed, while most of the world’s 200+ chameleon species are clustered in Africa and Madagascar, the Indian Chameleon is the only species found in the Indian subcontinent.

You may want to view that lovely dancing Indian Chameleon on our YouTube Shorts HERE

Today’s Lovely Birding Delights 💚

#intothewildwithrufus #birding

Of Coffee, Conference, and Civic Pride! ❤️

Of Coffee, Conference, and Civic Pride!

A Day in Erode

#musings #reflections

Quite early this morning, in the solemn and quiet streets of Erode, I was up and about on my routine morning walk. My mission? The search for that magical cup - the cup – “whose rich aroma coaxes us gently from our dreams at the crack of dawn.” The quote is from the brew, oops… the barista… oops… the book titled, Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover’s Soul. 😊

I couldn’t resist borrowing that lovely excerpt since I’m currently reading it you see!

While ambling my way thus to the nearest coffee shop, I was pleasantly surprised to find the pathways on either side of the roads so beautifully paved, with not a whiff of rubbish on them! Felt so happy! Santharaj buddy… I hope you’re reading this! 😊

And as I inched closer to my local coffee shop, the joy on my face was unmistakable! 😊

After a steaming, revitalising cup of coffee, I was making my way back to my residence, clutching the day’s newspaper in hand, when, I chanced upon the good ol’ Post Box that was adorning the walls of a very busy street corner. Felt a bit anachronistic, and nostalgic at the same time!

By 8:45 am, I proceeded toward Indus Arts and Science International College, Erode. It was a true delight to reconnect with Dr. Balakrishnan and a host of other wonderful friends and colleagues, including Dr. Nithin Varghese (Head, Dept of English, St. Berchmans College, Changanassery) and Dr. Thamizhini (Thiruvalluvar University), among others. The programme commenced on a high note, with a lively welcome band leading us all into the conference venue. The forenoon sessions were awesome!

In the afternoon, we were treated to a folk theatre performance by a vibrant group of students from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. As always, there is something deeply engaging about watching students take the stage, and this dramatic staging was a wonderful cultural addition to the academic discourse.

Returning in the evening, I couldn’t help but observe several best practices in Erode City that are truly worth emulating elsewhere.

Firstly, a note on the immaculate streets. The roads were noticeably clean, and in all the byways I walked through, there wasn’t a single stray cattle let loose.

Secondly, the public health initiatives are highly laudable. I rarely spotted anyone smoking in coffee shops or in the streets. The city corporation has done a commendable job by placing huge posters at vantage points, exhorting citizens to keep public spaces smoke-free.

Thirdly, Erode is known for its poultry, its turmeric and its textiles. It is just 55 kms away from Namakkal, the Egg Basket of Tamil Nadu. 

And finally, to top it all up, I had been tipped off by some friendly folks earlier in the day that, “Erode is known for its variety of chicken dishes - please don’t miss out on them, sir!”, they had cajoled me to the core!

Well, I had to oblige them, you see! 😊

And how! 😊 Slurp! 😊

On an added note, our heartiest congratulations to Prof. Balakrishnan and his vibrant team on having organised this International Conference in such a grand manner. There were more than 250 participants for the event.

And one laudable aspect of the conference was that, everything went like clockwork right from the word Go! Well-planned, and so meticulously executed! 

On the whole, a rewarding day in every way!

Cordially Inviting You ❤️| Seven-Day Online Faculty Development Programme (FDP) ❤️

The PG & Research Department of English, Bishop Heber College (Autonomous), Trichy, Tamil Nadu, is organising a Seven-Day Online Faculty Development Programme (FDP).

The central theme of the FDP is “Contemporary Trends and Emerging Perspectives in Literary Studies”. This programme aims to explore the evolving dimensions of literature, focusing on areas like digital humanities, cultural studies, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Key Details

Dates: The programme is scheduled to run from September 21, 2026, to September 29, 2026.

Timing: Sessions will take place daily from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Platform: The FDP will be conducted entirely virtually via Zoom.

Certification: E-Certificates will be issued to all participants who attend the programme.

Schedule and Topics

Day 1 (Sept 21): Dr. S. Samuel Rufus will present on "Literature 3.0: Digital Textualities and Multimodal Pedagogy in English Studies".

Day 2 (Sept 22): Dr. J. Jehoson Jiresh will discuss “Fandoms, Algorithms and Language as Political Agency in Digital Literary Cultural Spaces”.

Day 3 (Sept 23): Dr. Mandakini Bhattacherya will explore the topic of “Marginal Poetry”.

Day 4 (Sept 24): Dr. D. E. Benet will provide "A Critical Review of Literature, Food and Everyday Aesthetics".

Day 5 (Sept 25): Dr. T. Marx will cover “Memory and Trauma Studies”.

Day 6 (Sept 28): Dr. Vinod Balakrishnan will speak on “The Deep and Surface Structure of the Humanities”.

Day 7 (Sept 29): Dr. Pramod K Nayar will conclude with “Creative Industries, Culture and Creativity in the Age of AI”.

Registration Information

The registration fee for the programme is Rs, 400/-

Interested participants can register using the provided link https://forms.gle/A3CtJiqBT5Tqsb2k7 where they must upload a screenshot of their payment confirmation details.

For any inquiries, the Organising Secretary, Dr. S. Anand Arul Das, can be contacted at 94870 11703.

Cordially Inviting You... ❤️

​Demystifying the NET/SET | State-Level Workshop at SFR College for Women, Sivakasi

28, 29 September 2026

​Preparing for the UGC-NET, SET, or JRF is often one of the most daunting milestones for literature scholars. It requires moving beyond surface-level reading and rote memorisation to deeply engaging with texts, historical movements, and complex theoretical frameworks, bridging the gap between simply reading literature and critically analysing it.

​To help students navigate this challenging terrain, the COSMOS Quiz Club and the PG & Research Department of English at The Standard Fireworks Rajaratnam College for Women (Autonomous) in Sivakasi are hosting a Two-Day State-Level Workshop on UGC-NET/SET/JRF Preparatory Training.

​If you are a student or a scholar looking to sharpen your critical faculties and strategise your exam preparation, I highly encourage you to attend.

​What to Expect

​The workshop is designed to break down high-weightage areas of the syllabus across two intensive days.

​Day 1: Monday, 28 September 2026

British Literature I: Dr. D.E. Benet (Formerly Associate Professor, National College, Tiruchirappalli) will lay the foundational groundwork for early British literary history.

​Post-War Critical Terms & American Literature: Dr. K. Siva Rama Krishnan (Assistant Professor, Rani Anna Government College, Tirunelveli) will unpack essential post-war terminology and key American texts.

Day 2: Tuesday, 29 September 2026

​Literary Theory: This blogger (Dr. Rufus) will be leading this session, where we will dive into the critical frameworks necessary for reading texts against the grain. We will look at how to approach theoretical concepts - from structuralism to postcolonial critiques—in a way that is practical and applicable for the exam.

​British Literature II: Dr. S. Raja (Assistant Professor, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Sivakasi) will guide us through the later periods of British literature to round out the comprehensive historical overview.

​Essential Details at a Glance

Dates: 28, 29 September 2026 (Monday & Tuesday)

​Time: 09:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

​Venue: Conference Hall, S.F.R. College, Sivakasi

​Registration Fee: Rs. 400/- (Includes kit, refreshments, lunch, and a certificate of participation)

​Payment: GPay to 9150115891 (Jaya Blessy. A)

​Registration Deadline: 25 September 2026

How to Register

​You can secure your spot by filling out the registration form HERE

​For any queries, please reach out to the Coordinator, Dr. V.C. Priyadharshini, at 9487054253 or 7418571890.

I look forward to seeing many of you there and engaging in some rigorous literary discussion!

Welcoming the Winter Guests | A Dawn Birding Adventure in Namma Chennai Today 💚

The First Flock | Welcoming Seven Magnificent Migrants to Namma Chennai

#intothewildwithrufus #birding

6th September 2026

Today, as part of our September birding adventures, we started as early as 4.45 am to the coastal wetlands of namma Chennai to get that blessed early morning darshan of our feathered friends. 😊

Over a patient six-hour-long birding spree, we were able to spot a record 45 species of birds, as follows -

1. Ashy Prinia
2. Ashy Woodswallow
3. Asian Green bee-eater
4. Barn swallow
5. Black Drongo
6. Black-headed Ibis
7. Black-winged Stilt
8. Black-shouldered Kite
9. Blue-tailed bee-eater
10. Common green shank
11. Common kingfisher
12. Common moor-hen
13. Common myna
14. Common tern
15. Eurasian Coot
16. Eurasian Spoonbill
17. Glossy Ibis
18. Greater Egret
19. Greater flamingoes
20. Grey francolin
21. Indian Roller
22. Jacobin Cuckoo
23. Kentish Plower
24. Little cormorants
25. Little Egret
26. Little Grebe
27. Paddy field pipit
28. Painted Stork
29. Pied kingfisher
30. Plain Prinia
31. Pond Heron
32. Purple Heron
33. Purple moor-hen
34. Purple-rumped sunbird male
35. Red shank
36. Red-wattled lapwing
37. Rose-ringed parakeet
38. Spot-billed duck
39. Spot-billed pelican
40. Tricoloured munia
41. Whistling ducks
42. White-breasted Waterhen
43. White-browed wagtail
44. White-throated Kingfisher
45. Yellow-billed babbler

Surprisingly, the migratory birds (a total of seven species) have started arriving in flocks towards namma Chennai for their annual pitstop in our marshlands, salt marshes and tidal flats.

While most of the birds that we had spotted today are actually permanent, year-round residents of South India, there are many in the list that are true winter and monsoon migrants that travel hundreds or thousands of miles to reach the Chennai coast starting September.

So first let’s welcome the first batch of the lovely monsoon migrants home - to Chennai 😊

Firstly, the Barn Swallow – that visits Chennai all the way from the Himalayas, and Northern Asia, and Europe. They sport a deeply forked tail, blue upperparts, and a red throat.

Secondly, the blue-tailed Bee-eater – that visits Chennai all the way from Northern India, the Himalayas, and Southeast Asia. They have a striking blue tail, black eye stripe, and chestnut throat. They are acrobatic hunters that catch bees and dragonflies mid-air.

Thirdly, the Common Tern, that travels across the temperate and subarctic Europe and Asia. It is a sleek seabird with a deeply forked tail and pointed wings, known for spectacular plunge-dives to catch small fish.

Fourthly, the Common Greenshank, that comes to town all the way from Taiga regions of Northern Europe and Siberia. It is a tall wading bird with a slightly upturned bill and long, greenish legs.

Fifthly, the Common Redshank, that travels all the way from temperate Eurasia, from Europe to Central Asia. It’s named thus, for its bright orange-red legs. It acts as the “sentinel of the marsh” because its loud alarm call warns other birds.

Sixthly, the Greater Flamingo, that flies all the way from the Rann of Kutch (Gujarat), Central Asia, and the Middle East. This largest species of flamingo, features a long, downward-bending bill used to filter-feed algae and shrimp from salt pans.

Seventhly, the Kentish Plover, that comes down all the way from Central Asia and Northern Europe. It is a tiny, sand-colored shorebird that runs in sudden stops and starts to hunt insects. (Note: A small local population exists in Tamil Nadu, but winter brings large migratory flocks).