The ‘breathing bridges’ of Meghalaya have been chronicled as part of an ongoing project by Patrick A RogersWhere does architecture derive its relevance from Undoubtedly, utility. The aesthetics of architecture add to this primary quality. But can architecture be living Can it be organic, not just in terms of how it gels with its environment, but as an organism If your answer is "No", then you need to google "Living Root Bridges". These bridges are made by training the roots of rubber plants to grow across a void so that they forge a connection with trees on the other side.

These roots strengthen themselves over time and form enduring bridges for people to walk across. Meghalaya is dotted with this fascinating testimony to human ingenuity. And traveller, blogger, history buff Patrick A. Rogers is on a mission to conserve them.Patrick first visited India in 2009 as a student to fulfil the credits for his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware. A short trip to the Northeast left him fascinated. Then a weeklong hike in 2013 introduced him to the Living Root Bridges that he had read about on the Web.In 2015, Patrick hiked around south Meghalaya with Khasi locals who indulged his interest in finding Living Root Bridges. The month-long expedition made him draw two conclusions: One, that these bridges were a novelty even as they were a necessity. Second, cable suspension bridges were replacing Living Root Bridges — endangering a structure and practice that was as much an ecological marvel as cultural heritage.While Nongriat and Mawlynnong were famous for their Living Root Bridges, Patrick found a far greater number in more remote villages of southern Meghalaya. So he started a crowdfunding campaign "The Living Root Bridge Project" (www.gofundme.com/9b6gxmbv) to fund extensive expeditions over the next few years with help of the local Khasis, to map and locate the exact coordinates of each of these bridges with a GPS device. He wants to click pictures and take detailed notes on their structure and state. This initiative, Patrick says, is aimed at promoting living root architecture and rural tourism.

Since many Living Root Bridges have withered due to apathy and for want of repair, Patrick believes that "any outsider interest would help save them". He adds that the forests in Meghalaya custom rubber seals are facing a lot of destruction by way of rising monsoons and "slash and burn" agriculture, and believes that tourism will help curb this. "But first, we need the topography of these Living Root Bridges," he adds. So he plans to return to India every year from now on and take on more serious expeditions. He is seeking funds for travel and hiking gear. With a little help from the locals and his own working knowledge of Khasi, Patrick is determined to map all the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya and bring them on the world tourist map. And he is confident of local support.

When asked how the locals reacted to his interest in the bridges, Patrick says, "They were shy but amused by my interest and happy to help me find more bridges!"Busy with his travel blog (evenfewergoats.blogspot.in) in his free time, Patrick has written about 50-odd Living Root Bridges already and is confident of finding more. He hopes that funding for his campaign picks up, so that he can compile enough data for the government to take notice and set up a botanical world heritage site. "Anything to save these bridges," he concludes.

We also need to look at the future China Hydraulic pneumatic seal of the rest of the series laid out in this document."Khan said the PCB will review its future policies and brief its governing board members on the developments.Khan said chances of the series being organised now were very bleak since the resumption of cricketing ties between the two countries was not discussed by the Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj during her meetings with Pakistani officials in Islamabad."The government had given clearance for us to play a short series with India in Sri Lanka but that has not happened so far," he added."Not having the Indian series is a big setback for us financially.Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan said that the PCB would wait for a day or two before shelving plans for the short limited-overs series which was planned this month in Sri Lanka."After that the series will be off," he said."We were hopeful that there would be good news when cricket was discussed in the meeting between the Indian minister and Pakistani officials but that has not happened."

To be honest the chances of the series being held now are very bleak because we have been told cricket was not discussed in the meeting between the Indian foreign minister and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif," Khan said.'Not having the Indian series is a big setback for us financially.' Karachi: With time running out for the proposed India-Pakistan cricket series, the PCB has said it would call off the much-talked-about rubber if the Indian government does not give its approval in the next couple of days."If the series is not held we stand to lose out on around USD 40 to 50 million and we had already started making preparations for the series in Sri Lanka which included hotel bookings," the PCB chief told PTI. And we were expecting that the Indian board would get clearance from its government as they have signed a proper MOU with us. We are disappointed.."To a question, Khan said Pakistan's participation in the World T20 in India in March will depend on getting permission from its government.

Diego غير مجاز مي باشدta passed a fitness test after bruising a rib at the Britannia Stadium and he wasted no Flange gasket Supplier time in making an impact.Some newspaper reports had even suggested that he could be dismissed in the event of another defeat and he was assailed with chants of "You’re getting sacked in the morning!" by the away fans as the game wound down.Mourinho hooked the disappointing Eden Hazard in the 58th minute, with Kenedy coming on, while Benteke replaced Milner as Liverpool switched to a 4-2-3-1 system.— APPhilippe Coutinho struck twice as Liverpool won 3-1 at Chelsea on Saturday to ratchet up the pressure yet further on the Premier League champions’ beleaguered manager Jose Mourinho.Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho (left), scores his side’s second goal against Chelsea in their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday.

The Spain striker’s back-heel on the left-hand touchline freed Azpilicueta to cross from the left and Ramires stole in front of Alberto Moreno to celebrate his new four-year contract by heading in the opening goal.A high ball was headed down by Benteke and Coutinho steadied himself before dispatching a right-foot shot that flicked off John Terry and flew past Begovic.Ramires put the hosts ahead in the fourth minute at Stamford Bridge, but Coutinho equalised in first-half stoppage time and put Liverpool ahead with a deflected shot in the 74th minute before substitute Christian Benteke rubber-stamped Chelsea’s sixth defeat in 11 league games.Tempers flareHowever, with first-half stoppage time having ticked 30 seconds beyond the allotted two minutes, Liverpool hit back in style, Coutinho wrong-footing Brazil team-mate Ramires and curling an unerring left-foot shot around Begovic from the edge of the box for his first goal in 13 appearances.. The Reds won 3-1.Mourinho made just one change to the team eliminated from the League Cup by Stoke City in mid-week, with Cesar Azpilicueta replacing Baba Rahman, which meant that Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic remained on the bench.Midway through the half, Mourinho leapt to his feet in disbelief when Lucas avoided a second booking for a trip on Ramires, demonstrating his displeasure with sarcastic applause for referee Mark Clattenburg.While visiting manager Jurgen Klopp was left to celebrate his first league win — Liverpool’s first on the road since the season’s opening weekend — it was a Halloween nightmare for Mourinho, whose job is thought to be on the line after a run of just one win in eight matches in all competitions.

A cagey opening to the second period saw tempers flare in the dug-outs, with Mourinho drawing fourth official Lee Mason’s attention to Klopp’s quasi-maniacal appeals before the German became involved in an angry exchange with a member of Chelsea’s back-room staff.