Bundelkhand Diary
This
was my third visit to Bundelkhand TARAgram, and yet the experience was
as rich as it was new.
After a whole night’s travel followed by a day-long planning meeting for
the SDC - Sustainable Civil Society Initiatives to Address Global
Environmental Challenges Project, it was expected that the instincts
would be to resign to my room for a good slumber. But I managed to
surprise myself with my readiness to opt for the option of a field visit
to the Gaushala.
I find the Gaushala model to be one of the best integrated practices
initiated by Development Alternatives. My opinion is not just based on
my love for animals and the satisfaction of seeing some stray cattle
being cared for, but the scope for the mutually beneficial relationship
that the model establishes between these cattle and the community.
Efficient dung management technologies and renewable energy utilisation
through biogas plants enable setting up of micro-enterprises that, in
turn, provide profitable green livelihood opportunities for the
marginalised community, especially women. I feel certain that the cattle
in the Gaushala are assured of a lifelong care as the model is based not
on charity but on a sustainable symbiotic bond.
The scorching heat of Bundelkhand did not impede my enthusiasm to visit
two of the Arghyam Water project villages in Tikamgarh district, Pipra
and Bamhori Sheetal and Mador where eco-buildings have been constructed
under the habitat project. Apart from the enriching experience of
interacting with the rural community for regular project-related
features, I had some unique experiences, some pleasant and some not so
pleasurable.
One beautiful experience was to witness the birth of life as a cow gave
birth to her calf in a warm comfortable corner in the village of Mador.
I was fascinated to see the instincts of motherhood and the self
confidence of the just born calf that made its efforts to respond to its
mother’s warmth.
In contrast to this heart-warming incident in Mador, I was unable to
sustain my admiration for a gorgeous stray peacock who had been long
been adopted as a pet by the villagers in Pipra. My attempts to
establish a friendly union with any form of species did not quite yield
the expected results. I found myself at the receiving end of a random
violent attack by the peacock that scored a few goals on my back with
its legs and talons. The community members, however, advocated on behalf
of their pet peacock, explaining that he must have rightly got deceived
by my peacock-blue dress and mistaken me as one of his own kind. Well, I
had not much to say to defend that argument.
This visit to Bundelkhand was surely action filled, both in terms of
professional endeavours and personal activities. I found this field
visit very energising and motivating, as it helped re-thread the link
between the work done in the Delhi head quarter’s office and its
relevance to the grassroots community.
q
Malini Trivedi
mtrivedi@devalt.org
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