20th Chinna Shodha Yatra

By Palle Srujana Hanimireddy Palli to Kambala palli,

District Ananthapur, A.P. September 23-25, 2016


IMPRESSIONS

Impressions of Sahitya : 2-CSY

To Palle Srujana Team: 

These were my main take aways from the Chinna Shodha Yatra! I am grateful to Ganesham Sir and the Palle Srujana team for organising this for us!

 

On grassroots innovation:
The people / innovators we met like Rajanna, Narsimhappa, Nallamma and Amarnath had truly fuelled my experience. The stories that I heard from Sir of innovators like Vijaykumar, Mallesham, Chandra shekhar had really gripped me. Their journeys from start to end - both pre and post innovation were eye openers.  For me this was the biggest takeaway.

 

I now strongly believe and understand the importance of us documenting and spotting grass-root innovations.
I believe that just like in the city wherein new ideas such as startup companies are getting venture capitalist funding - even grass-root innovations should have access to that kind of funding to improve, certify and viably manufacture and supply their products to consumers. 

 

Grass-root innovation has now become a new area of interest for me. In this respect, via conversations and writing, I’m wish to share my experiences with family, friends and any stranger I meet so as to pass on the message about grassroots innovations. This could potentially help in spotting future yatris or investors.  


While Ganesham Sir spoke of innovations, I closely looked at the audience. Sir’s talks in each village were brilliant and were perfectly aimed to awaken the innovator within each one of them. Some eyes lacked spark - especially the women’s group, while some were ablaze with curiosity. I hope that rural people begin to understand their potential in contributing to innovation.

 

On Yatris: Each yatri has a story to tell. While we walked 54kms together, I randomly found yatris catching up with me to strike up a conversation. And they were genuinely interested in my story and I in theirs. Their stories and experiences have become a part of my own story now. 

 

On rural life:

I always had respect for people from rural areas. But this yatra has amplified my respect multifold. Who in the city would allows strangers to stay in their home? Who in the city would show concern if we were walking on the road? Who would give us invitations to come have lunch at their home? Leave alone strangers we don’t even talk to our own neighbours in the city. In the city there is no sense of community and the divide between rich and poor is very evident. But in rural areas there is a strong sense of community. 

 

One thing I envy about rural people is their closeness to nature. I felt like we lost an important part of ourselves by living in the city. Seeing all the agro fields made me want to do organic farming myself. I’m surely going to grow some vegetables at home this year!

 

I don’t know why rural people keep us city people on a pedestal - maybe because we have received some education - they believe we are higher in some way. Even the phrase “oorodu” (village boy) has a negative connotation while “patanam abbay” (city boy) has a positive one. These stereotypes must break and I feel the Yatra contributes in this way as well. In reality they are our equals and must be treated so and must believe so themselves. I hope this confidence builds in them in due time.

 

Farmers are just not respected enough and farming has the image of being a profession for the uneducated. This must change and I see some hope here. As I see educated and urban people begin to embrace nature and organic farming, I hope that all will recognise and realise the hard work that goes into farming and hope that the profession will gain newfound prominence and respect. 

 

On children: I witnessed that Children are children whether in the city or in rural areas. The same zeal and energy. The same zest for life! They should be given equal opportunities and good quality education as those who live in the city. This must be a priority. In this aspect it was good to hear of the work being done by RDT and it was good to see the excitement in the children when told about innovations. Whatever plans we make for education in the city - I hope to carry forward a similar project in rural areas as well in due time. 

 

On vitality and energy: This takeaway is a personal one I learnt from observing Ganesham Sir.He walked for hours on end. He doesn’t sit. He doesn’t rest. This 68 year old man was treading forward at such a brisk pace that we - who were ¼th to 1/2 his age just couldn’t keep up. Infact on day 2 he challenged himself by skipping lunch to test how much reserve energy his body has. Yet, he was always in the lead, while we were trailing behind with hamstring, foot and lower back pains. 


Apart from genes, a person’s body health is determined by his thoughts, his exercise routine and the food he eats. Ganesham sir’s thoughts are electric - inspiring and always powerful. He is a learner always seeking to listen, absorb and find solutions. His food is controlled - never has junk or excess of anything. His fitness - he is army bred - I presume he has a fitness routine. Watching him makes me re-think my own choices about thoughts, food and exercise. 

 

These are my first impressions! Shall write again if new thoughts come my way :) 

Attached is a picture of two contact numbers: 

  • One of Rajanna (tractor - bore well pipe extractor innovation)
  • The other of Amarnath. 

And two pictures of Sir :D

Thank you once again!

Regard, 



 

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