Pre-yatra:
I came to know about ‘ChinnaShodh Yatra-14’ through Honeybee network in our college, National Institute of Technology, Warangal. The description about the yatra enticed me immediately and I wanted to be a part of it. Few of my friends had expressed their solidarity and gave their consent to join the yatra. Thus, we, a team of 6 students from NIT W decided to participate with a curiosity to know what was in store for us.

Day 1:
Due to an unexpected delay in our journey, we had to join the team (co-yatris) at 6.00 PM at Aaluru. The first thing in the yatra which impressed me was beauty of the night as we started walking from Aaluru towards West Gogulapally. As was the norm, we had to walk without using any artificial light from torch or mobile. Very soon, we basked in the moon light and the presence of innumerable fire flies only made the sight beautiful. The team halted for a tea break on the road side. Brig sir explained us about a rural innovator from Medak district. Only then, I understood what this yatra was about. The innovation which was about ‘Puncture less tubes in bikes’ perfectly epitomizes the quote “Necessity is the mother of invention”. As we moved on, I tried to join a few yatris and tried to interact with them. We reached West Gogulapally village by 9.00 PM. The village seemed to have its blanket on by then. But, as Brig sir started presenting about the innovations which could be of great help in farms, many farmers came forward to listen. It was then, I understood the gravity of rural innovations and the selfless service of the innovators to the multitude. We retired in the primary school where we had our dinner. It was followed by ‘Impressions’ session’ wherein each yatri shared his/her knowledge about that day’s yatra. This helped to follow what we had missed earlier in the day.

Day 2:
The first impression which was noticed in my mind on the second morning was deplorable condition of the school. It was not in one way conducive to a learning atmosphere. The yatra was scheduled to re-start after break-fast. But, prior to this, I had a great opportunity of a morning walk with Brig sir, during which he threw light on our administrative and developmental activities which were insensitive to the culture of our villages. After break-fast, the yatra resumed towards salt cultivation area in outskirts of the village. Mr. Laxman, a salt cultivator cum farmer accompanied us and explained each and every detail about salt cultivation, its marketing, his occupations during off-season for salt. I was amazed at the knowledge he possessed, at his risk aversion strategies, at his right balance between profit and greed, at his toil for having a successful crop. Brig sir motivated Mr. Laxman to take up cleanliness activities in his village with the help of students for which he gladly accepted. I sincerely hope that Laxman lives up to his words and motivates his villagers. Because, Modi cannot change this West Gogulapally village in Nellore district. But, Laxman can do.

The lush green paddy fields on either side of our path invited us to explore more of the rural India. On our way, Brig sir initiated a discussion on disposal of plastic from villages. After this, we reached Purini village where the village sarpanch acted as our host. We had a brief lunch break. This was followed by Brig sir interacting with the farmers. I was engaged with local school students where we encouraged students to write any innovative thought or a question which crosses their minds. The questions had shown their intelligence, concern for the society. Later in the evening, Brig sir narrated the life of an innovator Mr. Mallesham, who changed thousands of weavers’ lives for better with his Asu weaving machine. Mr. Mallesham, who was a school dropout is now a National Award holder. What more can exemplify that villages are the store houses of knowledge! We also pondered over the idea of inability of many learned individuals to mitigate the woes of rural people even today.

We reached North Mopuru by the time of sunset, which was our night halt for that day. The meeting arranged between Brig sir and farmers of the village helped me to understand the prevailing social conditions of the village.

Day 3:
A surprise was waiting for us in the morning. 10-12 students from an ashram, which was a part of our schedule later that day came to join us. I had interacted with a few students. They were more than happy to make us learn what they knew. We stopped by a brick forming area on the road side. I had the pleasure of making 2 bricks from clay. I learnt about the ashram from the students, before-hand, on our way. These details only increased my desire to visit it. Any word fails to describe the feeling of me regarding the reception which we received at the ashram by its children. Conceived by a former railway employee, Sarath sir, the idea of a small ashram has grown stupendously and stands as a home for 120 children now. I was very much impressed to learn that the ashram and its associate school are completely administered by children, from keeping the campus clean to growing vegetables and fruits for their self-sufficiency. We had a sumptuous lunch in the ashram prepared by the children. We walked our way out of the village after interacting with the children.

Learnings from the yatra:
I met wonderful co-yatris who were very kind to part their knowledge with me. On the top of it, I made good friends. I was humbled by the nature and capacity of our villagers which I couldn’t notice till now. I can never forget the discussions I had with Brig sir. I sincerely look forward for the next yatra.

For prospective yatris:
Don’t think twice to join this yatra. You will be a better person after the yatra, which I am very much sure of.

-C. Sameer Raja.