Aham Brahmasmi - Day 4

I take the liberty to translate 'Aham Brahmasmi' as 'You Be the Creator of Yourself'. In order to be that we need to be part of the creator in unison and be selfless by giving up selfishness. Each one of us has the power of creation within ourselves. We can create whatever we imagine and work towards it. Every living organism has this power of creating a better future within themselves. You make your own personality, physique, career, social life and everything else of your future self. Try planting a sapling or sowing a seed for your own food. The pleasure of seeing what you sow growing and finally coming to you as your food must be an amazing experience. Nobody can grant you this pleasure and satisfaction because you only have to do it all by yourself to feel it and nobody can take it away from you because you yourself has already seen it and it already happened in front of your eyes. Every time God wanted to do something good to the world, he didn't do it all by himself, but either through his various avatars as Hindus believe or through his messenger as believed by Muslims or through his son as believed by Christians. So the point here is identify and realize true purpose of your life in this world and then you are Aham Brahmasmi.

Purpose of farming is revival of nature and thereby is a manifestation and expression of the God Almighty, that lies deep within the nature. Nature is always a total and true perfectionist and is the image and proof for God's presence. We cannot survive or live separately from it. We all need to embrace it, live along by not try to control it but by nourishing, conserving and protecting it and to the least without disturbing it. This will result in making life better, happier and sustainable. As Masanobu Fukuoka illustrated in 'The road back to nature - Regaining the paradise lost', "Wild, primitive wheat arose on Mesopotamian plains in the Middle East. Wild rice is said to have originated in Southern China, Burma, Assam and Saharan region of Africa. It was here all civilizations were built up. But today, each of these regions has been totally transformed to desert. I strongly doubt that this was the result of changes in climate and desertification that created food shortages, scattered people and destroyed civilizations. What actually happened was that trees were cut down in the name of civilization, advances were made in farming methods, all these depleted the soil, causing decline in desertification in to motion." We should not allow that to happen again in any part of the world. Time is short but the distance to cover is long. Awake my brethren and do whatever possible with your abilities and limitations and I am just reminding you that if you think yes you can, then you really can make a change. I just have begun with my first step and now encouraging you all to think about it deeply and do your part. Nothing to lose for you here, but everything to gain for you and your children. 

After the wonderful evening with cherishable memory of being in an interior village in Mayyil (Kayaralam) witnessing traditional activities of a typical Kerala village and having our dinner in the form of hot Kanhji (rice porridge), puzhukku (traditional Kerala tuber dish) and fish fry, we started our journey towards Valayam. It was dark, the roads were empty and the kind of terrain we travelled was very much in sink with name of the place we were heading to (Valayam = Ring - the roads were deep and narrow with dangerous sharp turns). On the way, to make sure we are on right track, we were asking people for route and at one junction, a bike rider told us that he is also going through the same route and instructed us to follow him. Lucky we and thanks to that stranger, reached the place without much difficulties. Good omen or bad, there was no power (electricity) in that area for past one hour or so. We were accompanied to a primary school building for the night stay. Basically it was a small hall with half walls on sides for a complete ventilation and when the power came, the fan which was provided by the organizers started working. I had good sleep compensating deprivation of previous days' sleep since the fan was kept close to where I was lying in the middle of the hall and to add to it we were informed that the next day's programme would begin only by 10 am, that means plenty of time than usual for a good rest. 

The next day, April 8th morning we were taken in small groups to nearby houses both for taking bath and for washing our clothes. We also had good interaction with Rajan chettan in whose house our arrangements were made. He is a driver, has a son who is working in Qatar, but currently on vacation. He had shown us his ancestral home and his siblings houses, which were all close by. All of them have enough land to cultivate their own food too. All in all a peaceful and self reliant village and villagers. By the time we returned breakfast was ready in the school building with hot tea and upma served immediately and I had stomach full. Then we made arrangements to set up the exhibition and sale of books and seeds. Around 10:30 am the meeting commenced. After the usual speeches and introductions, Harshil was asked to share his 3 days' experience with the gathering since he was leaving back to Pune that evening and I was assigned with the task of translating his speech to Malayalam. 

Mathew chettan (a surveyor in the revenue department of the State Government but more than that a farmer from Ulikkal in Kannur district who donated his produce for the rally's exhibition) gave a lecture on various daily uses and medicinal values of certain plants, trees, fruits, tubers, shrubs etc. which was really an eye opening session for me. I thank him for sharing this knowledge with the crowd. After the class he was seen clarifying many people on the methods to follow while planting some seeds, saplings, manure preparation, identifying names of some plants and trees, their use etc. I took care of his books selling responsibility for that hour session. During the sale, I had good interaction with the villagers too. On knowing that I am from Bengaluru, left the job to do full time farming, most of them didn't hide their shock, but were at the same time appreciative and encouraging. I had good open chat with them and in particular with the eldest man of the village. He said he came there to see us to acknowledge and congratulate for spreading the awareness and message of organic living. That was really a touching moment for me, considering that he is around 100 years old, who walked all the way from his house to the school just to meet us. For lunch it was the best kanhji that I ever had, with boiled tapioca and curry. After the sumptuous lunch, a documentary was shown of Muthalamada stone quarry issue. By the time the documentary ended, it was tea time with ellunda (sweet gingelly seeds ball) and after that we thanked them and bide adieu in the hope that we will meet again. Overall it was a relaxing day compared to previous days of hardwork. These organizers that too in real short notice (due to change in our plan because of harthal) have arranged all these facilities to us, I salute the spirit, unity, teamwork and dedication.

Our next stop before the night halt was @ Pookkadu. The reception there was arranged by Pookkadu Kalalayam members. We were served with tea and aval (pressed rice with jaggery and coconut). Then, we were off to our accommodation @ Kalalayam.