Life is like
sitting in a classroom, where the process of learning takes place. The learning
starts from the time of birth and ceases only after breathing ones last. In
this classroom one gets to meet different people, some might be good, while
other might not, but the process of learning never stops. While in today’s life
‘Learning’ has been replaced by ‘earning’ by the deletion of ‘L’, yet each and
every experience will be a lesson.
Most of us look
up to people from history to resolve life’s mysteries, to seek inspiration, to
garner ideas and commitments in life. But by just observing people or events
from our day to day lives, we can find live examples to follow.
As part of a
volunteering team studying man-animal conflict near Tumkur, Karnataka, I had to
interact with agriculturists regarding the movements of wildlife in their vast
farmlands.This opportunity changed my perspective towards life. The reason for
which was the humble farmer, whom we take for granted almost every time we eat
food. While most of us pray / thank the Almighty for providing us the meal,
seldom does farmer make an appearance in our thoughts. How many of us would
have thought about the source of our food before having it? How many would have
thought about the back breaking work put in by a farmer, before throwing the
leftover food in the dustbin?
Having to spend
the whole day on the farms, interacting with the farmers made me realize the
immense dedication that a farmer puts into his profession. From the time of
ploughing to planting the seeds, from the time of irrigation to the time of
harvest, a farmer can never postpone his work, lest he wishes to risk his
entire hard work. The word “Later” does
not seem to exist in a farmer’s dictionary.
Agreed that the
life we live in cities is very different from the life of a farmer in the
countryside, but the basic essence of both our lives is the same. Both our
lives revolve around completion of works taken up by us. While the famous
verses of Kabirdas “KaalKare So AajKar, AajKare So ab, Pal Mein PralayaHoyegi,
BahuriKarogeKub(do the work planned for tomorrow today, and the work for today
do it now. The world may end in a second and then you shall have no time left
to do the work), are known to most of us, it looks as if it is only the farmers
who are inculcating them in their lives.
In our modern
day cities, while children and adults alike are fighting a seemingly losing
battle with obesity, hypertension and various other ailments, in the country
side, the life looks much better. Just to make my case, here is an example. As part of the survey, I came upon a farmer
who was carrying bundles of fodder to feed his cattle. The source of fodder was
a good 3 km away from his cattle shed. I was impressed by his stamina, because
at the time I was interacting with him, he must have been carrying a weight of
at least 15kg. For a city dweller like most of us, walking 3 km may be a part
of a tough fitness regime, but for this man, it was his day to day life. I was
shell shocked, when on asking his age, ’75 years’ came the reply.
India now holds some embarrassing records to its name,
like the diabetes capital of the world.While in some countries, army training
is mandatory to all its citizens, if children of India can have one month of
farm experience in their growing years, it shall lead to a health India. Also
by working in the fields, they will get to know the basic essence of being an
Indian.
If we inculcate the habits of a farmer, if we learn
from him, our lives will be systematic and healthy. A farmer provides food for
our stomachs, now it’s time for thoughts as well.
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