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

People don’t die here, they live an eternal life

The Buddhist shrine caves on the outskirts of Aurangabad city is one of the least popular tourist attractions when compared to Ajanta and Ellora caves. This sixth-century rock-cut caves are located in the Sihaychal ranges depicting the teachings of Buddha. I was trekking alone to this cave shrines on a Sunday morning.  While descending, I found a gentleman in mid-fifties carrying a 50-liter water can on his shoulder and walking in the tree woods. A girl was following the gentleman in the deep woods. I was observing them closely, and as always curious to know, where are they heading with so much water in this no-man’s-land.

They reached near a small plant inside the jungle, which was fenced by barbwires. The gentleman and the girl kneel down to the plant, removed the weeds and tilled the soil by a stick. Both of them watered the small plant with utmost care and affection, stood there in an eerie silence for a few minutes. At one moment, the gentleman stroked the leaves and stem of the plant. I found something strange in them and reached them to strike a conversation. A touching story unfolded here to me in this Marathwada region. The man lost her daughter in January 2018, at a very young age of 21 due to a medical illness. Most of her organs were donated. Her ashes and mortal remains are placed beneath the soil and a tree was planted on it.  Since then, it was a regular affair for their family members, to visit this plant every week with water and manures. They fenced the plant and ensured the plant is nurtured with enough nutrients and water for its growth. The gentleman said, my dearest daughter is living and growing right here, as another meaningful rebirth and gift to the world.

His eyes welled up-in tears while sharing this story and tears started flowing from my eyes. He said that planting a tree on her mortal remains gives him the best of satisfaction rather than building a cemetery in her honor.  He also said that, most of the trees in this jungle are raised up like this. The relatives ensure the trees are well-grown; and they visit the trees often.  I was literally astounded on hearing this custom, where the dead take a rebirth, giving oxygen to the living ones. I walked further deep into the woods, sat there beneath a tree, gazed at the trees, leaves and its surroundings. The mid-morning silver sunrays pierced through the dense green foliage to touch the ground. Two tree squirrels were seen mocking a fight for a wild berry on a tree bark.  A herd of goats was busy grazing the bushes at one corner of the jungle. The herdsman resting under a tree was occupied with his smartphone; busy in completing his daily mobile data of 1GB. In the distance, I can see the fluttering colorful prayer flags from the nearby Buddhist monastery.   The gentleman bid adieu to her daughter and left the place. He slowly started disappearing from my gaze behind a statue of Lord Buddha in the monastery. I took a deep breath, bowed down to the base of the trunk of few trees, the living human souls, with much of reverence and respect.

Planting a tree is an enormous expression of love.

You never know if you will enjoy its shade or fruits, but you know someone will.

It’s an enormous expression of love to the departed soul. 

Truly, people don’t die here, they live an eternal life. 

It is indeed a great lesson for me from this Maratha land!

The dry day and toast of life!

Ramarkalmedu - Iduki Dist, Kerala

I was taking a road trip to off-beat locations with my friend in western ghats of Kerala in this south west monsoon season. Gusty winds, monsoon torrential rains, and cold weather forced us to take a pitch stop in a small quintessential town called Thookupalam on Ramakalmedu - Thekkday-Munnar route. Being a Saturday and after a long drive, we decided to make some generous contribution to Kerala State Beverages Corporation (KSBC) to cherish our nostalgic college days and our present lives in this reunion trip. 

Bestie

To our disappointment, the KSBC outlets are closed in entire Kerala since it was a dry day. My friend started complaining about the government policies and even argued that, closing KSBC outlets is a crime on weekends. Our inner spirits never dampened; we were sooner on Plan - B to find the beverages in black. After a few hours, all our exercise went in futile. And at last we made our mind and accepted the fact, it's real dry day. 

Enroute to Thookupalam

Later we settled in a restaurant to have our dinner. Though it's small, the restaurant was well-maintained, and clean. The hotel waiter served us hot pinkish red color water which was herbal flavored in a glass. We sipped the glass of flavored colored water smiling at each other. The water is usually called, Dahamukthi, Keralities ancient practices before the invention of Aquaguards, and packaged drinking water. We ordered authentic Kerala cusines of kanji (boiled rice porridge), chammanthi (chutney), with pickles. 

The new age entrepreneur without fancy MBA degree 

The propertier of the hotel in mid-40's had a smiling face, and he was very much cordial and hospitable too. He kept on moving from each table ensuring the customers are enjoying his authentic kerala cusines and satisfied with his services. He came to our table with that jubilant smile for casual conversation. He came to know that I am vegan on Saturdays, and he took extra special care to serve many vegetarian thoorans. I thought the man would have mastered the art of hospitality from a very professional campus. To my surprise, he never crossed his high school education. The food was exceptionally tasty,  authentic, and served hot with lots of comfort and love in the monsoon nights. He even recommended the best spots for sunrise the next day. 

KEERTHI - The life changer

While about to leave; I noticed the sign board reading "KEERTHI HOTEL". I quickly recalled his name as Binu from our earlier conversation, and I felt this KEERTHI name was an unusual name for a malayalee. I was curious to dig the story behind. I asked Binu, who is Keerthi? And I went on to guess,  Is it your Mom? It was no. Is it your wife? It was no. Is it your daughter? Again it was no. Is it your first love? He laughed his lungs out, and said Nooooo. This made me even more curious, and he smiled at me and asked  do you have time to hear my story. I said, I'm all ears to listen to his story.

At the age of 12, Binu dropped out from school. His poor family background forced him to take up jobs to support his family financial needs. He moved across many cities across Kerala for better income.  Lastly he joined at a hotel in kannur as a waiter for a meager salary. The hotel was run by a professor couple. The professor was impressed by his hard work and sincerity. Sooner Binu become the part of the hotel and professor family. Meanwhile Binu learnt the hotel business acumen, operations, cooking, customer handling skills, crisis handling tactics, goods procurement, negotiation skills, teamwork and all nitty-gritty of restaurant and food industry. 

The networks in God's own country!

One fine day, Binu decided to quit his job and decided to start a hotel in his home town,  Thookupalam. The professor couple was very much happy; they blessed Binu for more prosperity in his life. Binu decided to dedicate the new venture to the professor, whose name was - KEERTHI MON. The professor initially objected to this, and he recommended Binu to have the name of God or his family members to the hotel. Binu was firm on his stance. One fine day, the KEERTHI hotel was inaugurated by KEERTHI, the professor and Binu’s life mentor. 15+ years rolled on, Binu succeeded as an entrepreneur and now employs twelve people in his hotel, serving authentic and tasty Kerala cuisines. Even today Binu and Keerthi have a special bonding visiting each other on festive occasions.  

Toast of life!

This entire story was an eye opener for me in two dimensions. 

1) Binu's highest regard for his guru from whom he learnt his valuable life lessons. Keerthi was a real inspirational common man, who touched and changed a life of an ordinary person and his family. People like Keerthi live in our society silently, enlightening and empowering people and their families.

2) Though being poor, Binu managed to live, sustain and succeed in his motherland, without having the intention and obligation of flying to Gulf countries for greener pastures like any other mindset of Keralities. 

Though it was dry day, Binu's story was a reason to say cheers and raise the toast of life for me!

Osho City!

End of March 2018. The sun had started its power play in southern India. Mahaveer Jeyanthi & Good Friday fetched long weekend holidays across the country. This is one of the advantages of living in a secular country. As usual, I made a last minute plan to hit the road. My bestie, Athul hailing from God’s own country, who is an aspiring singer/actor and also acquires the knowledge of drug formulations and interactions for various diseases joined me in this trip. 

DSP with Athul.

Confused with three destinations on the mind, my inner compass pointed towards Pune, the city of the young population often referred to as Oxford of the East. A couch surfer from the city accepted to host us in his apartment. A host in a metropolitan city is a blessing for these reasons 

1) No need to spend much time checking the hotel reviews in make my trip, tripadvisor, trivago

2) A Well-wisher in an unknown place with similar interest in traveling

3) A chance to explore the city like a person from the place itself 

4) Lastly, save your time in swiping ATM cards in POS machines. (Hope you got what I mean to convey)

Typical Adda in Pune

Christopher, my couch surfing host had a spacious flat in Salunke Vihar road. He received us warmly in his apartment. Being in the event management profession, Chris was busy most of the times. The flat was located amidst green spaces in a residential area with some commercial establishments. I liked the small-joint eateries and cafes in Pune serving Chai, Coffee, and snacks. These joints are flocked by youngsters, and adults sneaking in for a cup of chai, conversations and cigar dose. Chris took us to one of his regular adda for brunch. We spent a couple of hours in the adda, ordering a few cups of masala chai every 15 minutes. We hadn’t done homework regarding the trip to Pune. I was thinking of having a very leisurely time in Pune. Athul was on his heels to hit the road soon. Chris helped us to hire a bike in Koregon Park, one of the most affluent locality in Pune. Soon, we are on the road towards Sinhagad fort sneaking the Pune traffic. 

Backwaters of Khadakwasla

We took a small break in the backwaters of Khadakwasla dam entroute Sinhagad. The dam was built in river mose, with backwaters spreading across 20kms. The dam was almost full to its storage capacity. Weekenders on bike and car were playing with waters. It was evening already, realizing the gates to the Sinhagad fort would be closed sooner, we left from the backwaters. The Marathi hamlets were picturesque with typical agrarian touches. As expected, the forest guard in the foothills of fort stopped us mentioning the visitor’s time has been closed for the day.  We were not disappointed though, as we already knew how to manage the situation. I produced my para-military dependent identity card from my wallet to the gentlemen. After a few minutes of conversation, the guard let us go inside the sayadhri ghats. 

Valley view from Sahyadri!

The roads leading to the fort was completely deserted. We reached the Darwaza of the fort, we found the steps leading to the main fort was very much steep, and the villagers were closing their shacks. Standing on the imposing fort perched on Sahyadri mountain ranges, we watched the sun in its twilight diffusing in the west as usual with golden red and orange shades. It was pitch dark, by the end of the  day, we completed exploring the fort, its bastions, ammunition storage complex, military horse stables, memorial of Tanaji Malsure, the great warrior and military leader in the army of Shivaji Maharaj. 

Roads in Rajmachi ghats

Next day, we started our trip in the Pune-Mumbai expressway towards Lonavala-Khandala. Driving through the expressway was an adrenalin filled experience, as superbikes and luxury cars ply between Mumbai and Pune frequently. After roaming around Lonavala & Khandala scenic ghats, we drove towards Rajmachi fort. The road was smooth for a  few kilometers. The roads disappeared as we entered the thick forest. I was flabbergasted on seeing the colossal luxury bungalows with boulevards, grape yards, and Bollywood movie studios in the middle of the jungle where there were no proper roads. Athul was driving crazily in the wilderness, as I was checking the GPS to reach the fort. We crossed military Jungle Warfare training camp approach road and went further deep into the jungle for more than an hour. A strange feeling gripped us, we sensed that we are lost in the trail. With no GPS signal, we parked our bike to seek any human intervention.  With no hopes of seeing anyone around, we gathered all our guts to proceed further. Finally, we reached a tribal village in the middle of nowhere with thatched mud houses. To our surprise, all the houses were locked, a few kids were playing on the mud. 

Rajmachi fort

On seeing us, an old man approached near our bike. I asked him, the directions to reach Rajmachi fort. He replied in Marathi making hand gestures to another mountaintop adjacent to the village.  I was stunned completely and started chuckling.  Nevertheless, we didn't give up. We continued our mud trail towards the adjacent hill. We spotted a huge grey langur more than five feet sitting in the middle of the road. I was scared for a second while Athul was driving confidently ahead. As we drew closer to it, the langur jumped into the deep valley holding the barks of a huge tree. Our hearts skipped beating for a second. We drove back till the jungle warfare camp, crossed many rivulets and streams, and braved many boulders to reach the base of Rajmachi fort. It was mid-day already and it was scorching hot.    We quenched our thirst from a water spring under a shady rock. I refilled the bottle with natural spring water for rest of the day. We finally made it to Rajmachi peak in March, an unusual season, skipping the much-recommended monsoon. We didn't care about the weather, the season, the tough terrains, the mud roads, the scorching sun, the lost GPS, the lost direction, and the huge langur. The determination and our exploring spirits made us reach the destination peak of Rajmachi against all these hurdles. Of course, some beautiful paths can’t be discovered without getting lost.  We reached Pune by evening after exploring Bushi dam, Lions point, Tigers point, and Amby Valley. 

High in Social!

Exploring nightlife in Pune was one of our trip agenda. Our host Chris, arranged our tickets for BAR HOP at Phoenix Market city in Viman Nagar road that night. Hopping seven affluent bars, ten drinks, two bar bites, live music performance by Yasa music band for just Rs. 699/- was a jackpot. After many dress trails, style-conscious Athul settled in a dark blue shirt and denim for the night. The band was slow for a Saturday night. Next, we hit the Social pub. The ambiance was perfect for the night, jam-packed crowd, with high decibel music and dance floor. Pune’s social ambiance resonates with college campus theme with a lecture gallery style seating, pages from discarded college notebooks adoring the walls, and the city of Pune map on the floor. With Margarita and Trip on the drip shots, we hit the dance floor. As time evaded, the crowd went high on drinks and dance. The tables went high to the ceiling with the help of suspended strings; making more space to dance.  Few hours of unwinding is social, second day came to an end. 

City & Sex

We woke up to a mild hangover of tequilas shots. We took some time to explore the local Pune city and Shaniwarwada palace, fortification of Peshwas of Maratha empire. The palace was built using stones, lime minerals, and teak wood. The palace was featured in Bollywood film "Bajirao Mastani" starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and PC.  Osho Garden in Koregaon park was our next stop to explore. 

Osho in Garden!

My Pune trip would not be complete without stepping in any of the Osho affiliation centers. Osho Garden is a beautiful 12-acre park created on a wasteland closer to Osho Ashram. The sewage water is treated systematically by filtering the solid garbage waste using iron grills. The slightly filtered water is made to course over the land for maximum oxygenation of water with water hyacinths. Fish like Gambusia and Silver carps in the water get nourished by the pollutants and mosquito larvae in the filtered oxygenated water. Then the water passes through the sand filter, making the water almost pure for irrigation. This water flows in the park as a small natural stream on the rocks. The sun rays reflect on these waters passing through the dense foliage. The park was silent and serene for a relaxed stroll and meditation.  Osho sculptures adore the park for inspiration and peace.  

Enlightened Osho in Pune!

I was longing to visit Osho Ashram for many years. But I am waiting for the right time to step into the world of Osho to experience the blissfulness.  Since my adolescent days, Rajneesh always induced an ultra-sense sexual curiosity in me. He was portrayed badly as a sex cult; people reading and following him are seen contrarily. I was attracted to his appealing doped eyes. Moreover speaking about Rajneesh was considered offensive in my high school days. This offensiveness aroused a curiosity in me; started reading about him in secret whenever I get the opportunity. I was amazed at reading his book titled, The Ultimate Alchemy, and he writes - So really it happens that the more sexual a person is, the more inventive he can be. The more sexual a person is, the more intelligent. With less sex energy, less intelligence exists; with more sexual energy, more intelligence, because sex is a deep search to uncover, not only bodies, not only the opposite sex body but everything that is hidden. Since then I have to conclude sex makes you intelligent, more sex makes you more intelligent. 

With mindfulness of Osho, I continue to search the hidden trails in all my journeys. 

P.S : Those who expected something sleaziest content in my article after reading the title, I have to remind them once again, "Dont judge the book by its cover"

Special thanks to 

Couch Surfer - Mr Christopher for hosting me in Pune

Toast Master - Mr Balaji Ramasamy, Bangalore for editing my article

Bengal's light to the world

Every city and place has its unique charm on its own. Kolkata, being one of the oldest colonial and metropolitan cities is unquestionably a city of joy.  A spark of joy always engulf me when I am in Kolkata – talkative people, loudest city, yellow color ambassador taxis, mother’s house, rasogullas from KC Das, fiery eyes and tongue protruded goddess Kali, graffiti streets, rich in literature, arts, music, culture, choked crowd, open-air baths, poverty-filled streets, hardships; with all these in balance, the city and its people live in joyfulness with traces of British East India company remnants. Two streets are must to visit when you are in Kolkata, College Street and Sudder Street.

Common sight on the streets of Kolkata

College Street is known for prestigious academic institutions, countless small and big book stores, and India’s biggest publishing house. When I’m in Kolkata, I make a mandatory visit to this Boi Para, called as “Book Town” to purchase few titles after hour-long browsing. My Boi Para visit ends with customary chai in nostalgic Indian Coffee House, a colonial architectural café that attracted city’s intelligentsia like Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray.  I love the palpable atmosphere of café for endless Bengali gossips and talks.

Backpackers Haven

Backpacking experiences with like-minded vagabonds will take you to Delhi’s Paharganj and Kolkata’s Sudder Street. My next stop would be Sudder Street in Kolkatta for a leisurely stroll in evenings to have a hippie experience in this backpacker’s haven. The sudder street scenes will never evade from my neuronal networks; shopkeepers in flea market cry out for selling their colourful accessories on display, agents hawking me promising a budget and low-cost accommodations, missionaries of charity volunteers group identified by their t-shirts, dance bar girls catwalk on streets giggling making fun on each other with heavy makeup and light clothes showcasing their cleavage, drug peddlers stocking me to supply their contraband drugs and hashish at cheap rates. Sipping a madka chai in sudder street, I savour these moments.

Raised in catholic boarding school since Kindergarden, I was upraised with greater influence of Catholic Christianity faith. The catholic nuns in my hostel days talk about Mother Theresa and her services in Kolkata. I was greatly inspired and touched by the services of her Missionaries of Charity in giving the dignity for dying, compassion to lepers, AIDS sufferers, home to poor, orphans and abandoned in over a hundred plus countries across the globe. 

The modest entrance

As I stepped in Mother’s House in Kolkata, off AJC road this June, I was not completely aware of the emotions which will make me heavy and cry later. I walked into the modest entrance to the world headquarters and residential quarters for the Missionaries of Charity and has been home to Mother Teresa and her sisters since 1953. A simple building with neat floors and purely functional features. The simplicity and strength of the building depicts the lifestyle of its sisters. A sister greeted me with folded hands and gracious smile at the entrance. The lobby was neatly arranged with ornamental plants, a statue of Mother Mary and Mother Teresa. The sister guided me to the tomb of Mother in the ground floor. 

Mother's Tomb

I stepped into the room to offer my prayers to mother’s mortal remains. The tomb was adorned with fresh flower bouquets, jasmine flowers and a candle shimmering on the marble.  In the austere surroundings, I kneeled before the tomb of Mother, touched my forehead to the marbles and closed my eyes offering my silent prayers to God for giving us Mother Teresa to India. She touched the lives of dying millions people in the poorest of poor slums and making them feel wanted and special with medical help and offering them the divine smile.  Tears rolled out of my eyes out without any intention; thinking of Mother, her gallant services and selfless services to the sick and abandoned in a Hindu predominant nation, when communal tensions exploded in bloodshed once upon a time. 

Mother's Room

I spent some more time in the small museum that housed many of Mother Teresa’s possession. Her trademark white cotton sarees with three blue boarders, sandals she wore while walking through the streets of Kolkata were on display along with numerous medals and honours she received all across the world, including the coveted Bharath Ratna award and Nobel Peace Prize medal and citations. Mother’s room in first floor was kept open for visitors for viewing. It was a very small room without any fan, just a single bed, wooden desk and a paired bench. Mother used to write letters to all the branches of Missionaries of Charity, meet dignitaries and visitors in this room.  It was sobering to read, that she passed away in that very room, on that very bed on September 5th, 1997. 

I reached the main doorway of mother’s house to find out, the sister distributing flyers and mothers face imprinted silver dollars. I received the dollars and sat behind her for a conversation. She gave me short brief about various Missionaries of Charity centres in Kolkata – Daya Dan, Nirmal Hriday, Nabon Jiban, Shishu Bhavan,  Prem Dan, Shanthi Dan & Ghandhi Welfare Centre.  The nun also said that all these centres are maintained by services rendered by young volunteers from across the globe. I asked her, what would be the qualification for volunteering in these centres. She smiled at my eyes with an instant reply, “ Loving Hearts and Serving Hands”  are the qualifications for volunteering. She  probed me, do you have those qualifications? The question striked my head with a bang.   After a moment of silence, I replied in positive. She asked me to visit Shishu Bhavan by 03.00 PM for volunteer registration and orientation.  I bid adieu to the nun, thanked her profusely. As usual her reply was short holding the rosary in her hand, praise the lord !

Volunteering card 

Shishu Bhavan was few hundred meters away from Mother’s House housing hundreds of orphan children. The doors are kept open by 02.45 PM for volunteer’s registration. I was waiting there in the tin shed veranda along with couple of other new volunteers. I exchanged customary pleasantries among those volunteers from Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.  A nun from North Eastern state of India, assisted me in completing my registration, verified my identity card and issued me the volunteer’s identity card.  She enquired my area of expertise, suggested to volunteer in Prem Dan centre.  All the volunteers were instructed to assemble in Mother’s House next day by 06.00 AM for prayer mass in chapel. 

Famous among volunteers

Next day, I reached Mother’s house by quarter to six. The nuns assembled in one side of chapel and on the other side, the volunteers took their seats. I joined them by holding a prayer sheet. The mass started with a prayer song by the sisters in devotion and soulful demeanour, followed by reading of Psalms by visiting priest from Holy Bible and meditation.  All the volunteers assembled for simple breakfast – fresh bread from nearby Russian Bakery, banana and a glass of milk. Being the first day of volunteering, I stood in a corner of the veranda. I was soon captivated by the volunteer community; by the warmth and friendliness of the people with their infectious smile.

Google Directions

I meet volunteers from all over the world, including French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spaniards, Germans, Americans, Canadians and Irish. Many volunteers are seasoned travellers, while others were volunteering for the first time like me. Placards popped in the crowd, with name of each centre written on the cards. I walked towards prem dan centre placard, and few volunteers followed me in suit. The volunteer who hold the card introduced as Nicholas from Mexico. He was very much cheerful leading our volunteering team by walk to prem dan centre, which was three kilometres from Mothers House. The Google maps will literally fail before Nicholas, as he took us in the narrow typical lanes of Kolkata. 

Prem Dan – Mother Teresa’s home for the sick and dying destitute in Topsia area houses 200+ male and 150+ female inmates. As I entered the home, most of the inmates were out in balcony and courtyard for breakfast. I took a bowl of rice porridge and started spoon feeding an octogenarian on wheel chair with hollow cheeks, and thin torso covered with soiled linen. His glazed eyes were trying to convey something. I cheered him up, brought him to his bed, changed his clothes, gave him the medications and laid him to rest in the bed for a while. 

Coincidental words!

Meanwhile, my fellow volunteers were soaked with sweat, hand-washing the laundry of 200+ male inmates’ clothes in the shiny pre-monsoon June morning. The team divided into sloshing clothes in soap water, rinsing and wringing the garments on the clothes line. There was a strong spirit of teamwork among us. Nicholas was found to be more witty and making fun, as usual cheering up in the laborious task. I wringed a green t-shirt on the cloth line. I was surprised to read the lines on the t-shirt; NEVER STOP LEARNING, BECAUSE LIFE NEVER STOPS TEACHING. It was rare coincidental lines for me, as I always tend to learn in any of the given circumstances of life.

Bed making by volunteers

Some volunteers went to make the bed, where as I assisted a nun who was dressing the pressure sores of bed ridden patients.  The African born nun, was a trained nurse by profession, highly efficient and skilled in her practice too. Without much pain and difficulty, she cleansed the deep wounds of the patients, dressed them with the antibiotic medications. Throughout the procedure, she fondly enquired about me, my family and my profession. I asked the nun, what made her to choose India? In affirmation, she replied that’s because of Mother and Missionaries of Charity. Orphaned by her parents, she was raised by the orderly nuns of Missionaries of Charity in Rwanda, Central Africa. Influenced by Mother and her immaculate services, she determined to become a nun to help the sick and dying. She was indeed very much proud, that she got a rare opportunity to serve in the Mother’s Headquarters in Kolkata. Meanwhile, I taught her simple physical therapy manoeuvres to stretch spastic hyper toned muscles of lower limb to a stroke patient. 

Nicholas!

Nicholas pulled me out to the courtyard, for assisting me to groom the patients. He pushed me a box of shaving set with razor and blades in my hand. I sport a beard and hardly used a razor and blades for self-grooming. I stood puzzled holding the razor, whereas my fellow volunteers cheered me in for the task. An old man in the crowd called me in a husky voice for grooming. I offered a small prayer to the lord and started my job. Rinsing the face with soap lather, and as a trained grooming expert, I removed his beard along with the white foamy lather using the sharp razor gently. Within no time, I mastered the art of it. He smiled till his ears before the mirror on seeing his clean-shaven face. After attending to three more grooming assignments, the volunteers went for a short tea break in mid-morning. 

Later, I went to the Kitchen to help the workers preparing lunch. I washed the fresh mangoes and sliced them in pieces for a fresh fruit salad with bananas. We served the patients with lunch menu of steamed rice, sambar, bajji and fresh cut fruit salad. I took a plate of lunch; started spoon feeding a fragile old man in his sixties. He spoke to me in Bengali which I could not understood completely. I replied him in Hindi, which he didn’t understood I guess. But it was a meaningful conversation between two of us. After lunch, all our team volunteers assembled in the dish washing area for washing the plates, glasses and utensils. It was again a coordinated team task ensuring the vessels are washed properly without wasting much of water. Once the plates are arranged in shelves, our day is done as the inmates return to the bed for an afternoon nap.

Sab theek ho jayega 

The inmates of prem dan come from all sorts of background. Their life stories revealed the wild and darkest side of human nature. I went into the dormitory styled bedroom in search of the African nun to thank her. I could not find her, I heard a strange voice groaning with pain at one corner of the room. I went near the bed to find a man in terminal stages of life.  His malignancy metastased to almost all parts of the body. His voice reduced to whisper, face conveying the agony and pain of his suffering. I sat near to him adjusting the intravenous lines. I hold his hands tightly to give a comfort, stroked his head gently for a soothing effect and said, “sab theek ho jayega ji” translating it to All will be fine. The man looked at me in intense, closed his eyes as tears rolled out from the corner of his parched eyes. Later he raised his frail hand to reach my chin in gratitude.   It is a sight that can move even a hard-edged cynic.

The volunteering team - The world is here!

Few hours of volunteering in Prem Dan, I was moved with intense emotions. Indeed I took many roles – a caretaker, a physiotherapist, a nurse, a barber, a laundry man, a cook, a quiet listener, a healer and more of true human being. In each of these roles, there is a sense of peace simplicity and grace.  The volunteers and the sisters radiate joy and love in all that they do, and I always pray that I can do the same. Missionaries of Charity is a quiet place; a place where the tears of the dying and the tears of the searching meet; a place where east meets west; where boundaries are broken. I was continually humbled; at the old man who thanked me for helping him eat, the smile from the old man after his clean shave, African nun’s compassion and the fragile man raising his hand in gratitude to me. 

Mother Teresa said, I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. She indeed created many ripples throughout the world by her compassionate services.

On a closing note, I wish that everyone in the world should have a, loving heart and serving hands to make the world a better place to live. 

Love one another, as I have loved you. (St John 15:12)