The Future of India lies in its Villages
I am away from my native village for about
thirteen years now. Recently I was placed in Arehalli village for my village
exposure programme before embarking into my theological studies at RTEC
(Regional Theological Extension Center) Bangalore. Arehalli is located around 5 kilometers away
from the theologate center. It is a
village consisting of 55 families. Though small in number they are large
hearted. They welcome every guest with open arms and offer basic simple food.
They survive on food cultivated in their fields. Their staple diet consists of Ragi
balls with vegetable curry which provides them with sufficient energy to work
in the fields.
A village
with a difference
Arehalli village was self-contained once upon
a time. The natives had no contact with the outside world. All of their
essential needs were satisfied in the village itself. In the village there existed
people of every skill such as carpenters’ plumbers and many more. In short, it
was self-contained; more of a society within society itself. However the rapid changing
political and economic conditions were smothering the self sufficiency of the
village. The rapid development of the means of transport and communication
seems to have broken the barriers between the village and city life. The farmers
in the village now are well connected with the neighborhood city or town. Unfortunately some selfish wealthy middlemen in
the city exploit the simplicity of these illiterate villagers. They swindle
them in terms of prices of various produce.
Arehalli villagers lead a peaceful and simple
lifestyle. They are tolerant to all religious
practices. They accommodate every religious discussion and are open to
inculcate the values that promote humanism. Consequently, I was very much taken
up with atmosphere of serenity and peace prevailing there.
In the village there is no noise and little
sophistication. The humdrum activities are absent. Occasionally buses
and vehicles are seen moving on the roads; at other times the cows and the
buffaloes make best use of the roads. The villagers lead a spartan life, eat
frugally and dress modestly. One sees some mud-walled houses on one side and on
the other there are well designed buildings just like the cities. The young
people who are now getting educated in the cities have broadened their horizon.
Fashion is making inroads in their life. Here and there we find people getting
lost in television programmes, mobiles and some social networks.
The education system of the village seems to
have played a major role in the subtle change of lifestyle. Most of the
children go to private colleges in the neighborhood town. Some, because of
their financial difficulties study in the government school. It is rather sad
because that has brought a division among the students; the ‘affluent’ look down
upon those studying in government schools. The government schools in the
village shows an urgent need of upgradation in infrastructure and teaching
standards as well. The government has to seriously ponder on raising standards
of their schools; not only in terms of feeding their stomachs but also inspiring
and educating the young brains.
Sense of
Inner Freedom
What is Freedom? Are we really free in life?
Such questions do arise in our mind when we come across the word freedom.
However we have a common aspiration in our life for a better life. People in
Arehalli village leaving aside all their human weaknesses tried to live
together. They are at times have deeply affected by varied old and new thought
habits and emotions. Yet the people in common share a we feeling that no one could take away from them. There I found a
sense of deep inner freedom to go beyond ones self-love and self-interest. People
in the villages do not look for more comforts to be happy. They find joy in
living in the present.
My
observations
The city provides means of learning for
gaining knowledge and the village provides wisdom giving inner meaning to live
life happily.
Village teaches us to be in touch with the
nature and experience the wonders of God’s creation.
A village has not much choices; unlike the
cities where shopping malls make available all the comfort and luxuries. The multiplex cinema halls provide a variety
and the latest mode of entertainment.
My village experience taught me to live
simple and think simple. Village exposure trained me to enjoy outdoor games. The
students here expend their energy coming together after school and enjoy in the
fields; playing cricket applying their own rules.
The farmers in the villages have an immense
amount of patience. They eagerly wait for the rains, sow the seeds and work
hard, trusting God and hoping that they will be able to sustain themselves with
what they do. When weeds and flies attack their crop, they patiently deal with
them.
I was fortunate enough to pause myself before
I moved to a world of theology. Living with the villagers is not a fabricated experience;
it takes lot of self-will to get by difficult moments. At times privacy is
restricted yet great respect given for individuality. Perhaps sometimes
education alone is inadequate. Even the
career choice one makes isn't such a great thing after all. It promotes
discontentment and more wants.
This Independence Day let us strive to
experience that inner freedom to find the joy of life instead of hopelessness
and dejection.
https://jivanmagazine.com/the-future-of-india-lies-in-its-villages/
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