Exploring the Bonda Tribe : A journey into indigenous culture

I had the privilege to explore the remote regions of Koraput and Malkangiri districts, nestled in the southwestern expanse of Odisha state, India. Accompanied by Dr. Pratik, my dear friend and an alumnus from JNU-Delhi, we embarked on an informal assignment to delve into the health-seeking behaviors of the tribal communities. Little did I know that this journey would unfold into an enriching experience of a lifetime.

Duduma Waterfall in the Eastern Ghats

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Eastern Ghats and lush tropical forests at an altitude of 3000 ft above sea level lies a wild and picturesque territory rich in fauna and flora inhabited by the Bonda tribe. Our voyage to this hinterland, amidst the Kondakamberu ranges, commenced from Jaypore in Koraput district. Crossing the majestic Duduma waterfall on the Machkund River, we arrived at Onkadelli, a rural village serving as a weekly market hub for surrounding tribal communities.

The Colorful Bonda Tribe

The Onkadelli weekly market, held every Thursday, is a bustling and lively affair. It offers a delightful pandemonium that provides a unique opportunity to observe and engage with Bonda tribes, gaining insight into their way of life. Many tribes travel from distant villages surrounding Onkadelli, enduring long and challenging journeys to partake in the market's offerings.

Onkadelli Weekly Bazaar

The market serves as a hub for trade, recreation, and social interaction, offering a diverse array of goods and services. Roaming in this tribal bazaar is an experience by itself, watching the pastry of colors from the forest-grown vegetables to local fruits to medicinal plants, flowers, colorful lip-smacking snacks, and mahua drinks add to the vibrant atmosphere of the market. 

Lip-smacking local snacks

We got a reference of Mr.Uday Kumar, a local resident of Onkadelli village, through our generous host, Mr.Pradeep Agarwal, a prominent businessman based in Jaypore town in the Koraput district of Odisha. Mr. Uday, who operates a small medical shop in Onkadelli, proved to be a valuable resource for us. He directed us to a knowledgeable local guide, proficient in the dialects of the tribal communities. Mr.Uday gave us a few instructions before our trip to the settlements of the Bonda tribe. We were advised not to laugh at the tribespeople, as they could react with hostility towards outsiders. Additionally, we were cautioned against initiating handshakes with the tribe, not wandering alone in the tribal village, or taking photographs without explicit consent. 

Local Tribe

He also suggested that we carry an adequate amount of currency notes to offer as a token of appreciation to the tribespeople for allowing us to photograph them. Most of the tribals will be in a state of trance and drowsy due to excessive consumption of locally made alcoholic brews and mahua drinks. At times, they become violent and hurt strangers with their weapons, sometimes poisoned bows and arrows. All these instructions made me feel inexplicable, and my friend was in a perplexed state of mind to continue with the onward journey. I pushed him to take a chance in Odisha state, not knowing this land has India’s best-kept secret. 

The paddy fields & cashew trees

Our journey into the tribal heartland commenced from Onkadelli, traversing through the quaint residential quarters housing employees of the Machkund Hydroelectric Power Project before ascending the hills of the majestic Eastern Ghats. As our vehicle meandered through the landscape, we were greeted by lush green paddy fields juxtaposed with cashew forests, crimson-red soil, and rugged boulders adorned with verdant summer shrubs. As we drove further, the roads took serpentine turns to the peak of the mountain ranges. The view across the valley was spectacular, and we were treated to breathtaking vistas of rolling hills cloaked in lush greenery. The gentle caress of the valley breeze and the sight of billowing clouds over our heads provided a welcome respite from the scorching summer heat of the Deccan Plateau, soothing both body and soul alike.

The Bonda Tribal Settlement - Andrahal

We crossed a paramilitary camp with a helipad guarded by armed forces on the mountain summit. This camp was set up on the peak to counteract the infiltration of Naxalites in the region. The roads descended; the black tar roads disappeared slowly, giving way to the rugged mud trails. Twenty minutes into the ride downhill, we crossed wet lands and streams and reached the Bonda tribal settlement—Andrahal—completely cut off from mainstream civilization. The settlement was very basic, adjacent to a perennial stream. And the entire village thrives on this stream for their livelihood. The houses are made of bricks, adorned with earthen colors, and have dried lemon grass-thatched basic mud huts. I spotted marijuana clumps thickly around the hamlet, exemplifying the testimonial for Malkangiri stuff among the city dwellers.  With our local guide leading the way, we ventured into the settlement, religiously remembering the instructions given by our friend Mr.Uday in Onkadelli. 

Bonda: The most fascinating tribe

The most photogenic tribes of India

The Bonda Tribe stands as one of India's most ancient and primitive communities, boasting a culture that traces back thousands of centuries. Recognized as one of India's Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), they are afforded special protection due to their status as one of the fastest-disappearing tribes in the country. As per the 2011 census, there are only 12,231 Bonda tribes left in this region. The Bondo Tribe were the first people to migrate from Africa around 60,000 years ago, according to anthropologists, and the first people to settle in forests in India. These Bonda tribes are short-stature people with Australoid features who still speak the dialect Remo-sam, an Austroasiatic language that is part of the Mundari group. They live in a semi-naked condition and indulge in killing outsiders who tread into their territory. They attract attention because of their attire and appearance.

The Unique Colorful Attire of Bondas: 

The Bonda way of living

 One of the most striking features of Bonda society is the traditional attire of the Bonda women. The Bonda women usually shave their heads and decorate their scalps with colorful beads and wild grass headbands. These headbands are known as turuba and lobeda. They wear a large number of colorful beaded necklaces called mali instead of cloth, covering the upper body part while a narrow skirt or ringa covers their lower body part. Apart from these, they wear heavy aluminum layers of neckbands, known as khagla. Bonda men usually wear a loincloth that covers only the front, and they always carry multiple weapons on their person. An axe always adorns their shoulders, along with a dagger, a sheaf of arrows, and a bamboo bow. In the past, these poison-tipped arrows were generously used, and even today, the Bonda people are famous for being extremely hostile, pugnacious, and heavy drinkers. 

The Rice Beer - the most favorite brew of the locals

While strolling through the village streets, we noticed a few tribal men lounging in the shade, their gaze fixed upon us. Mindful of the instructions from Onkadelli, my friend avoided making eye contact as we passed by. Upon reaching a corner of the hamlet near the stream, we came across a man engrossed in the process of brewing a local alcoholic drink called Hadiya. Nearby, locals tended to their livestock, observing our animated conversation with the brewer with curiosity.

The Hadia Brew

Our local guide facilitated communication as he explained the intricate process of making Hadiya, which involved fermenting rice, cashews, lemon grass, and other forest herbs. Atop a two-story vessel used for brewing, a stone was placed to securely seal the lid. Additionally, we observed a small, tender chicken sacrificed to the tribal god over the stone for a successful brew. This ritualistic gesture, coupled with the intense gaze of the tribesmen, heightened the atmosphere, prompting us to depart for the hamlet.

The sacrifice for good Hadia

The smartest Bonda tribal women:

A photo with the smartest tribe

The Bonda tribal women, adorned in their traditional attire, are often sought after for photographs due to their photogenic appearance. Many foreign tourists are drawn to this remote region specifically for the opportunity to capture memorable images and are often offered monetary compensation in return. This serves as an additional source of income for these tribal women. During our visit, we took several photographs of the women in their settlements and provided them with some currency notes as a token of appreciation. As we were preparing to depart, I expressed a desire to have a photograph taken with one of the women. She readily agreed, wearing a smile on her face. Following the photo session, I attempted to give her a Rs. 20 currency note, but she politely refused to accept it. Despite my insistence, she declined with a smile and said something in her Remo dialect before moving away. Moved by her humble gesture, I believed she had offered the photograph as a complimentary gesture because she liked me. I was praising her to my friend while moving ahead with our car. The local guide came running behind us and insisted I pay Rs. 50 to the lady. She is about to quarrel with us, as we demeaned her by offering Rs. 20. My friend immediately pulled out Rs. 50 from his wallet and settled the lady to avoid any kind of sacrifice in Bonda land. We just laughed at each other; our views are now changed, and we concluded that the Bonda tribal lady is indeed very smart.

Health care in Bonda Tribe

Sharing a lighter moment 

Through our interaction with the tribal community, facilitated by our local guide, we uncovered several troubling realities. The absence of a functional healthcare system was glaring, with diseases like diarrhea and malaria wreaking havoc on the population. Compounding these challenges, the area was once a stronghold of Naxalite insurgency, which hindered substantial development efforts among these tribes. Malnutrition-related deaths were widespread, exacerbated by the limited access to food and nutrition supplements, particularly for children and pregnant women who were supposed to benefit from the government's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Perhaps most distressing was hearing accounts of childbirth occurring in unsanitary conditions, often in the open and even in running water. These revelations underscored the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure and support services in the region.

The Bonda Tribe is cut off from modern civilization.

The Bonda Tribe wowen

The most interesting part about the Bondas is their non-acceptance of modern civilization. I have not seen any mobile phones, satellite dishes, street lights, concrete walls, black tar roads, or so-called civilized people like me. They just live close to nature with very simple means of life. They have preserved and conserved their primitive social customs and traditions and are reluctant to change them as per modern civilization. Because of their isolated lifestyle and hostile, aggressive nature, mainstream development workers are reluctant to venture into their areas. Government officials like the public works department, teachers, health care officials, and politicians find it difficult to venture into their hamlets. This isolation has helped them preserve their culture even today.

My journey to the Bonda tribe settlements was truly enchanting, transporting me to a different era and providing a glimpse into the remote and unspoiled landscapes of India. It's an opportunity for me to dwell on the simple lives of those indigenous tribes in India. To conclude, I can say that Odisha state is rightly tag-lined; it's India’s best-kept secret.

My search continues to captivate yet another tale...

I extend my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to:

• Mr. Pradeep Agarwal of M/s Hotel Princess in Jaypore, Koraput district, for his generous hospitality and invaluable guidance.
• Mr. Adarsh from Wayanad, Kerala, a fellow traveler and adventurer, for capturing the remarkable photos that enriched our experience.
• Dr. Pratik, whose presence was indispensable; without him, this journey would not have materialized as it did.

Experiences with the tiny & mighty turtles

Sea turtles are truly global “citizens”, knowing no borders or boundaries. These turtles were one of the earliest inhabitants of our Earth around 100 million years ago since the era of the dinosaurs. There were 2000+ turtle species once upon a time and now only seven turtle species are left. Olive Ridley Turtle species are the most common sea turtles but are now placed under IUCN’s category (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) of being vulnerable and at risk of extinction.

These turtles are called scavengers of the ocean; fundamental link in marine ecosystems and help maintain the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds. Sea turtles are an important part of the planet’s food web and play a vital role in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans. The turtle eggs and meats were poached by local folks for higher prices in the market. And the tiny turtles fall prey easily to eagles, vultures, stray dogs, jackals, sea birds, and other sea creatures.

A tiny fishing hamlet Velas in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra under the guidance of Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra – NGO and state forest department has taken constructive efforts to conserve the Olive Ridley Turtles.  Spending a long weekend in this Velas hamlet was unique experiential learning for me.  Joining with Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra team members, I experienced the vigilant patrolling techniques along the beach to ensure the mother turtles lay the eggs in a favorable natural environment, safeguarding the eggs with close monitoring and scientific data, retrieving and relocating eggs from vulnerable nests, releasing the hatchlings in the beach close to the waters when the temperature is perfect and ensure the baby turtles peddle to the sea with their tiny paddles. Inspiring night lectures, documentaries, and meaningful conversations with NGO team members about global warming and ocean pollution was an eye-opener for me to understand the importance of complex marine ecosystems.

Though the beaches of Velas and nearby places have enough potential for water sports and tourist attractions, the fishermen folks decided to take up the conservation project strictly saying no to any of the commercial tourist operations. The entire hamlet now focuses on conserving the Olive Ridley Turtles along with adjoining mangrove forest and made home stays as their alternative livelihood for nature enthusiasts and marine researchers. They host people at their homes offering them unique Konkan hospitality along with the glimpses of Olive Ridley Conservation Project.

What inspired me here is the eco-friendly model of sustainable development, where villagers are both stakeholders and beneficiaries.  Behind all these, there were sustained efforts of NGO Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM), support from the forest department, the government of Maharashtra, technical expertise from Mangrove Foundation, Wild Life Institute - Dehradun, and financial support and voluntary assistance from Tata Trusts and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – Germany.

It was a worth riding experience for me along the western coast and western ghat from Aamchi Mumbai to Velas for experiencing the tiny and mighty turtles braving to the sea. Take a walk in the Velas beach and discover an amazing coastal ecosystem and coastal biodiversity. 

It's not the place you travel that makes its worthwhile. It's the people who meet you along way.

 Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Pitch stop - 01

Sabarmati Ashram, Gujarat.

Shri. Sasikumar Vadamana & his son Anand traveled 1800+ km from Thrissur - Kerala to Sabarmati Ashram in their two bicycles. Inspired by Gandhian values, Sasikumar started his lifetime wish - Journey to Sabarmati Ashram on 2nd October 2021 with his son. One month of arduous bicycle journey through the toughest terrains of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat states, the father-son duo spread Gandhian thoughts and philosophies to the public through the language was a great barrier. Meeting them and spending a day with them in Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in the heritage city of Ahmedabad was a wonderful experience for me. I admired the spirit of Mr.Sasikumar and the influence he created in his family to go ahead with this bicycle yatra at the age of his retirement.

 

I personally feel people like him are the real Gandhians who truly carry forward the legacy of Mahatma to the new generations who are used to admiring Gandhi only in currency notes. I bow my head with reverence to both Mr.Sasikumar and Anand for their indomitable Gandhian Spirit.

Pitch Stop - 02

Badi lake few km away from Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Nauf Seyyal & his life partner Azzu, the youngest travel couple I ever met. Indian-origin mallu Nauf, raised in an Arab land, who had an illustrious career in Australia quit his job and flew to Incredible India to find himself traveling through her woods and roads. He completed his solo road trip pan India in 232 days on his super-cool Qafila (Auto-Rickshaw modified to a Camper Van) and continued another few months of trip with his girl Azzu until the country went into lockdown. They restarted their journey 2.0. Meeting this couple was an experience. One can imagine the countless stories of traveling the diversity of India in an Auto-rickshaw. 

Nauf & Azzu are adorable and super-cool couples, and we had a wonderful time with endless conversations while we swam across the secluded waters of Badi lake, watching the sunset in Aravalli ranges, partying till the wee hours of the morning in a very remote cafe. Later, I slept a few hours in their Qafila while the couple stayed outside on the coldest winter night. I felt more privileged when I learned, that I'm the first person to sleep in their Qafila. 

This is traveling for me. 

Not to see places, but to meet interesting people, listen to their stories, get inspired and be a life-long learner of life. 

Himalayan Hopes

I’m a curious and restless soul, and

That is the problem and solution to everything.

The mighty Himalayas and me

Himalayas has captured the wildest imaginations ever since I started reading travel genre books. 

Life at the 20’s is very special to everyone. You will be in free-spirits with vigor, zeal, and constant quest to learn more and go places to explore the world. 

Ladakh valley

Levison Wood is my favorite author and his book, walking the Himalayas always triggered my unbound love towards the mighty Himalayas. This COVID – 19 lockdown brought me to watch his series - walking the Himalayas by UK based Channel Four in Discovery Plus. Wood starts his epic 1700+ miles journey by walk from Afghanistan to Bhutan, via Pakistan, India, and Nepal the entire stretch of Himalayan ranges. Awe-struck and I rewind my memories a few years back to my 20’s.

The best travel companions - Cath, Som, Ling

It was my first solo trip in my 20’s to Ladakh valley between Karakoram ranges and Zanskar Mountains in the Himalayas. On a very tight shoe-string budget, I backpacked, hitch-hiked, stayed with locals and home-stays; I completed my first incredible travel experience of my lifetime. Since then, I become addicted to solo-traveling and the gorgeous Himalayan ranges.

Himalayan Bliss

• I learned many life-lessons in this Himalayan solo-trip
• Language is not a barrier to communicate
• Strike the best with first impression
• Strangers can become your best travel companions
•  Locals can share their house, bed, and breakfast to total strangers
• Body can survive on minimal calories – eggs, maggie, and chai
•  Listened to nomadic tales under a starlit sky
• Warm water is the best mixes for Rum
• Consuming Himalayan vegan leaves can get you real high ( Hope you get me right)
• Frostbite in the night and intense heat in the day portrays the life experience
• The best of the view comes from the hardest climb 

Leh Palace

Life is filled with rhythms and cycles as narrated in the nomadic story; cold and hot, day and night, snow-capped mountain summit and deep gorgeous valley, sun and moon, rich and poor, gods and demons, good and evil, joy and sorrow. And every human being is destined to experience these very often in his lifetime. The journey itself an experience to behold through the stunning views of Himalayan ranges, contrast terrains, and the highest motorable passes in the world.

The land of mystic dragon

Fast forward and off-late, I have been blessed with wonderful opportunities and immense possibilities to travel to many parts of Nepal and Bhutan on special official assignments from my alma mater organization, Navodaya Education Trust - Karnataka.  I pondered those great opportunities and with immense reverence I rewind my encounters in these Mountain countries.

Pokhra & Himalayan ranges

 With endless cups of chai, sitting on the terrace of my hotel at Phewa Tal lakeside in Pokhara - Nepal, I rehearsed my official presentations surrounded by the spectacular view of Annapoorna ranges, glistening peaks of Macchapucharre, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu snow-capped summits. I watched the spectacular sunrise from Sarangkot peak, an incredible Himalayan sunrise. It was an astounding magical sunrise to behold and the sun rose behind the Annapoorna mountain ranges. Nature played its best masterstroke in the sky – crimson red hues and strokes in the grey sky, the golden sun rays kissed the snow flaked Himalayan peaks, the sun emerged slowly as an orange-red bowl between the ranges, and started unfurling the gorgeous scenic landscapes of Pokhara valley. Standing there in the morning crisp year, I admired the mighty Himalayas and bewitched the luminescence of Himalayan eight-thousanders.

 

Mount Everest & Himalayan ranges

Bhutan, the land of Gross National Happiness is my favorite Himalayan land-locked country. Blogged enough about this mystical kingdom, I urge my readers to browse my old blogpost to experience the thunder dragon Himalayan experiences. The ultimate experience was witnessing the Mount Everest, Mt Lhoste, Mt Makalu, and Mt Nuptse on Bhutan – Nepal trip Druk air flight.

 

Explorer as always....

My curious and restless soul always crave for more such incredible experiences, as spending time in this Himalayan region is one of my life’s great experiences. No mountains can match their beauty and Majesty. I was fortunate to have glimpses of the Himalayas and its greatest terrains in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. I am astonished with this greatest bio-diversity on the planet earth with the bizarre diversity of cultures in an exceptionally hostile and incredibly beautiful environment.

 

Phew tall lake - Pokhra, Nepal

All I wish and long for is to experience the Himalayan ranges in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Will I make it to those two countries? Will I cover the ancient silk-route?

Will I walk into the fairy meadows of Gilgit- Karakoram ranges?

Will my dreams come true? Dreaming all these, is it a problem of my curious mind or will I find a solution? Post-COVID 19 & my hopes are the answers, I have here right now.

Buddha Point, Thimpu - Bhutan

Green story from a parched land

The ultimate goal of farming is not growing of crops;

But the cultivation and perfection of human beings.

-       Masanobu Fukuoka

Naveen Garden

Agriculture and Farming is deeply rooted in my living tissues. Hailing from a modest agricultural family, my parents, and my ancestors earned their livelihood from farming. All the cells and building blocks of my body are nourished from the agricultural soil. I belong to the first generation graduate, who flew miles away from my nest to earn money and food for a living, without knowing the food and simple living is already there at my backyard.  This is a post about a progressive and new-age agriculture farm located in Trichy district of Tamilnadu, South India. Krishnapuram is a typical village in Musri Taluk of Trichy District. Agriculture and farming is one of the most predominant occupations in this village. Though River Cauvery flows 20 kilometers away from this village settlement, the land is dry and parched due to the geographical elevated location & rocky terrain. The deficit in successive monsoons and extreme summer posed extreme challenges to the farmers in this village settlement.

Hangout Zone

Midst of all these obstacles, an inspiring agricultural farm flourishes with many great endeavors to revive farming, to promote awareness on protecting nature and wildlife, and animal rescue operations. I walked into this agricultural farm on a gloomy night to spend a few days volunteering and experiential learning. A pack of canines came running towards me, and jumped on me. Matrix (Rottweiler breed) was the leader of the pack. I went on my knees to the ground to hug those friendly pets and started to pat them fondly. Sooner, three Labrador Retriever breeds - Kukuva, Luna, and Kutta, two cute Pug breeds – Puggy and Sham, Kaaka (Dobberman breed), Panda (Lasapso breed), and Bolt (Miniature pinscher breed) were fighting to get my attention and the pat. All of them were friendly, and at the same time terrific, started pulling me in each of their directions.  I have to spend a few minutes with each of those friendly breeds to calm them down. In all those breeds, Bolt was very young; he got my rapt attention. He jumped into my face, started to sniff my eyes, nose, and ears. This is one of the best and most over-whelming welcome I have experienced ever in my life. 

Shrida - The Curious kid

Ganesh and his small family were volunteering at this farm for the past one year. Shrida, his kid is worth mentioning here. Curious and inquisitive mind gifted with immense talents, he can easily befriend with any stranger at no time. Ganesh is a university by himself, and he exposes his little son to real-life learning. The family keeps moving to inspiring places across India, Nepal, and Srilanka stays and volunteers there, and lives a minimalistic life in this materialistic world. These family members are my guide for the next few days at this farm.  It was the first week of January, and the night was shimmering with cold in this winter. I went to my room to retire for the day. Bolt came running under my legs, jumped on the bed, sat on the pillow, and nodded at me with his usual hyper reflexes. Shrida ran into my room, to inform that Bolt will be sleeping in this room; whereas other pets will be guarding my room by staying outside. I slept with a puzzled mind; whether I am privileged to sleep with Bolt or Bolt is privileged to sleep with me?

DSP - The crazy kid 

I was super amazed by strolling around the integrated farm next morning with Ganesh.  The farm was established by a young post-graduate Mr. Naveen Krishnan, a visionary agripreneur with a great mission of meeting few objectives of Dr. Kalam’s vision 2020 – environmental protection, creating awareness on wildlife and nature, educating farmers about innovative farming, and creating man-made forests.  The entire farm was distinctly earmarked based on the specific tasks – animal zone with proper fencing and appropriate strategies to house a list of exotic animal breeds. I was completely engrossed with those exotic collections in an agricultural farm – pigmy goats, Arabian racehorses, Asino Amiatina donkeys,  two giant green and orange iguanas with dozens of baby iguanas, gerbil, hamster, tortoise, native kangayam bull, brahma chicken, fish breeds like alligator gar, arapaima, and piranha. It takes a lot of special interest to rear these exotic breeds. Ganesh explained to me in detail about those exotic breeds and he had enough patience to clarify most of my inquisitive doubts. There was a fenced livestock area nearby this animal zone to rear goats, cows and poultries. 

Miyawaki method

The farming techniques and approaches are unique and progressive here. The Miyawaki tree plantation method is being adapted here in one area of the farm. It’s a technique pioneered by Japanese ecologist Akira Miyawaki, which helps build dense forests by planting few native species in the same ground pit. This approach ensures the plant growth is ten times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser.  Few thousand plants are spread across evenly giving a lush green cover amidst the surrounding parched lands. I was breathing the fresh miyawaki morning air at the moment. The rest of the farmland was cultivated with pomegranate orchards, vegetables like tomatoes, brinjal, spinach varieties, chilly, and cattle fodders. Toiling in the soil for hours; reverberated to me, the wisdom of celebrated great Tamil Poet and Philosopher Thiruvalluvar;

The world tails the plough despite other pursuits

Even if one toils, farming remains foremost 

சுழன்றும்ஏர்ப் பின்னது உலகம் அதனால் 
உழந்தும் உழவே தலை.

Volunteering

Amused by all these endearing endeavors, we moved ahead for another surprise of an artificial Olympic size agricultural pond with the  length of 140 feet, breadth of 70 feet and depth of 12 feet filled with gallons of water.  Water is being pumped from a bore well which is located 6kms away and stored here to irrigate this farmland. Every drop of water counts here and, all the crops are watered by drip irrigation ensuring optimal water management. As time eluded, I was soaked completely in the daily chores of the farm, chopping fodder grass, processing the fodder, feeding the cattle’s and pet dogs, and cleaning the cattle sheds.  We took a pair of goats to nearby veterinary doctor. The animals are deprived of communicating by language; and when it is sick, it’s very complex for us to find the etiology, and it’s suffering. The veterinarian was professionally competent, examined the sick goats, diagnosed as an infection and gave an antibiotic shot in the goats neck. Tired and exhausted; the goats took comfort on my lap and shoulder while returning back to the farm. 

Naveen with special kids

Naveen Garden farm is quite popular among the school and college educators for providing their students with an experiential learning on nature, wildlife, and agriculture. And it is also equally hit among the public for a relaxed day outing in a farm along with exotic breeds. During my volunteering, a bunch of special kids arrived here for their Pongal celebrations. I went to receive them from their van along with the entire matrix gang. Luna, Panda and Bolt stormed into the van; and few kids started to scream their lungs out. I assured these intellectually challenged special kids about the friendly character of the pets and brought them to the common activity area. My community rehabilitation & public health expertise helped me to manage these kids with very minimal efforts; and sooner some kids were seen attached to the pets. I was their guide now taking them to all the areas in the farm; detailing them about the exotic breeds, agriculture techniques, water conservation techniques, and all about Naveen Garden. Abandoned by their family members, neglected from society, these special kids have a horrifying past in their lives. But at this very moment, I can see smiles, excitement and laughter in those kids’ faces by the love, affection, touch and nurturance of the pet animals.  

Eyespotting Iguana

Naveen Krishnan endeavors are really inspiring, and most of his aspirations are fueled by Dr. Kalam’s mission. He invested enormous resources in building in a residential home for mentally challenged on his farm. The project was ultimate, with a novel approach to care and nurture the mentally challenged individuals in a peaceful residential ambiance midst of green farms and pet animals. The buildings are in the last phase of completion. Unfortunately, this project is stalled now at the due to a lack of sufficient funds.  This unfinished building is the only unaccomplished dream here in this Naveen Garden. My volunteering days here in this Naveen Garden was a great quest for my learning in many dimensions, understanding the importance of farming, practical insights to miyawaki tree plantations, water management approaches, playing around with the gang of the matrix, the best time in bringing out the smiles in those special kids and most importantly nurturing the sick goat by hugging close to my chest. 

Miles to go

This farm is a perfect embodiment of Masanobu Fukuoka’s words - The ultimate goal of farming is not growing of crops; But the cultivation and perfection of human beings. Naveen Garden is cultivating the perfection in Human beings.

You can find more details about Naveen Garden

www.globalnaturefoundation.org

Naveen can be reached @ +91-98423 53713