It is 6 am. I walk into the forest with my fellow
comrades. We are on a mission. To build bands that conserve water and to plant
trees. I am wearing a half torn t-shirt and an old pair of shorts. For the next
two hours, we are walking the forest near the Sadhana community. We divide
responsibilities.
Building Forests
Every individual is given two water cans. Past volunteers
have planted little trees and plants all over the forest. Next to these plants,
there is a small bottle, that is inserted into the soil. At the end of this
bottle, is a long tube, that is connected to the deep roots of the plant. This
ensures that whatever water we put into this bottle, will go to the very roots
of the plant. This is a much more efficient way to water the plant, than merely
sprinkling it all over the plant. The water tank, is placed at one place and
once the water in your can is over, you have to walk back to the water tank,
fill your can and go back to the plants again. Two filled water cans would
carry at least 4-5 litres of water. It was quite tiring carrying these cans
back and forth. Fortunately the sun was on our side and it was not too hot. Now
i know, why they start off so early in the morning.
But this whole exercise, is quite engaging in a
whole different sort of way. I had to carry the soil in my hand and feel the
earth. Sweat dripping over my forehead, I would fall down often or trip over my
water cans. Also the realization, that you are helping a fully alive organism,
grow and sustain itself, by simply watering it, makes you feel more connected
to your roots. It made me think about where my food came from. How this was the
process the farmer, had to undertake to make the vegetables and fruits that I
eat at home. How easily, I would throw away a piece of fruit, not realizing the
time and care behind every fruit that emerged from the soil. I think I will go
back home and start gardening. Maybe adopt a plant. Maybe adopt two...
Cooking for myself
After a thirty minute breakfast break, my second
shift starts. This time I am given the responsibility to join the team in the
kitchen that is making the idli paste. The rice is soaked in water day before,
for breakfast the next day. That morning we first had to grind the urad dal and
make a paste out if it. Then we had, to mix the rice batter and water and other
ingredients. You had to keep mixing the bater as it was mixed in the machine.
It was really noisy and you had to be there for two hours. Once the batter was
ready, you had to wash all the utensils and the machine used to make the
batter. The whole process took you about three hours. If you had a team of
three people, it would take an hour or less. But with one individual, it was
back breaking work and would take you at least three to four hours. I had three
companions today. But it was still quite an exhaustive process.
But I am exhausted. Tired beyond measure. I
overestimated my capabilities, to undertake physical tasks on a field. When I
started my my first morning shift, I walked out onto the field, shoulders
upright, with a confident smile on my face, and with sturdy long steps. At the
end of the second shift, my shoulders are drooping, sweating dripping down my
forehead, my knees are weak, and all I want to do is fall down flat on my cot.
The afternoon sun started beating down on me and I started feeling dizzy.
Fortunately, I was near the main hut. I went there and lay flat in one corner.
I drink some water to re-hydrated my dehydrated body. I go to the compost
toilet after a while. I dreaded this moment. The toilet had a compost pit for
human feces and a urinal hole for urine. Once you were done with your task, you
had to pour saw dust over the pit and then pour some water over the urinal. It
was already super hot and this activity, drained me off more of the limited energy I had. At 12 30 pm, I have
lunch and then walk towards my hut. I move away the mosquito net and crawl onto
my cot, as soon as my head, touched the pillow, my brain stopped functioning
(not literally) and it seemed like my body stopped too. I was fast asleep in no
time.
The rest of the day was just normal. I go for a
swim that afternoon and feel the water on my body, as I go underwater in this
baby pool. Dinner was tasty and healthy, for a change.
Sat-chit-ananda
@AbhishekShetty_
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