The Journey of thousand miles
Must begin with a single step
Lao Tzu
Chinese philosopher
Dear JY,
On one evening after coming from the church, Jimesh was telling a thought on the Service to Community… “Da, we are not supposed to sit like this…I have some social dreams in these days….Shall we do something to the poor communities…” I didn’t heard clearly, what he was talking about due to the noise in the Town.. ‘Da, paranjathu Kettilla’.. “Alla, Something like community awareness, or like colony cleaning…”.Yes ,It is a good idea…
One year after these light conversation, we started to extend our hand to the needy community. Sr.Francia’s presence was a real blessing on those days…She opened the door of community services to us. She arranged one colony visits and asked to think ‘what you can do for the community…’As I mentioned in one of my previous mail, Women empowerment by earning themselves… A seminar conducted by JY with the help of Fr.Vadakkemury( Infarm Director)…The Response motivated us to do to adopt one village…
Heads were scratched to get a village for the mission…On one noon time when we came together in canteen for Hot tea and a parippu vada; Sudhan chettan was asking ‘Ningalkku Oru Adhivasi villageinu yenthengilum cheyyan kazhiyumo!!’…Amazed Vaidyan kalpichathum Milk…Patient echichathum Milk….
Kattu vazhikalum, kattu thenum, Kattu aruvikalum, Kattu Anayum, Mulla valliyum Thenvarikkayum …….The Genesis of a Wonderful Exodus…..
Sanchaarikal
(Brave) Sebin, (Gentleman) Sreekanth, (Jabbar) Sunil, (Coach) Manoj, (Guitarist) Ajjo, (Ahamkaari) Subin, (Buthijeevi) Emi, (Smart) Jobin, (coordinator) Jimesh, (Handsome)Pratish, (Soda glass) Anoop Francis....
After the Sunday mass, we were sitting on the small wall at the side of the road near to the Holy Cathedral. Waiting for the Bus to Vatattupara (Sudhan chettan’s House)… Really I didn’t have any outline or picture of the Journey… However, didn’t have any sort of confusion, (may be b’cos of Sudhan chettan’s Presence…).Everyone had the feel of ecstasy; Driver pressed the Air Brake..in front of us…We got into the Bus and searched for a seat…Somehow managed at the Backseats…In the middle of the Journey, Sebin put some hot political stories ….(Didn’t give peace in the vehicle too..)..I hold the tail of the topic…Some one among us showed us to keep silent…We were feeling the entire gutter on the road as we seated at the back... Ting (Head hit on the iron bar)….Manoj and Ajjo were looking outside through the side window enjoying the Journey…. “ee political Kathi onnu Nirthaamo…” Emi veendum….
Yedakku, Conductor had come and asked to take the ticket…Pratish took the tickets….
Ting, Bus stopped at a junction,…No one knows the route.. All looked outside.. “Keerampara,keerampa ra…” ‘Bird’ called loudly…After One hour Journey, we reached Vatattupara…Sudhan chettan was waiting for us… Village is near to the forest region…There were some Small T’shops and stationery at the Junction …His house is one house far from the Junction only…We entered the small; but beautiful home…Got one hot Tea, It was strong enough for us to relieve our tiredness…Later we walked through his ‘Thodi’ to see his efforts…Shades of big trees leaves a thick darkness in the premises…felt as if a small forest…He shared in detail about his vegetation…
Time was around 09:30am… Now we were in a mood of the Journey… Decided to walk instead of taking a Jeep… We bought two or three Bread packets…all put their ‘Thorthu’ on their neck ,some wore on the head.. Emi was carrying the Data sheets which we prepared to collect the details of the Adivaasi’s…
Njangal Sanchaaram veendum Thudangi…Chettan was telling, Forest was near to 15 Kms from Vadattupara…Upto Idamalayar Dam, the Road was neatly maintained… With a small Prayer, we resumed our Journey…Way towards Idamalayar is through the middle of the forest…Both sides were populated with Trees(Rain forest).Silence of the forest was interrupted by the noise of us…. Wind was making music by pressing its finger on the leaves…Since it was summer…land was dry and hot…Someone passed a bottle of water to quench the thirst…. “Last week evide Aana(Elephant) Erangiyirunnu. .! Sudhan chettan’s bhayapeduthunna Warning….We tried to get the smell of ‘Aana chooru’(technical term)…Manoj and sreekanth were ahead of us and walking fast like an Ostrich….tough to catch them with our tortoise legs….Suddenly Sebin told to us… “Dey,Look one Horse is there behind the Tree”..With some curiosity we gazed the side which he pointed…. “Onnu Podo, Athu Cow anado.!!.Hahaha…” “Whenever he opens the Mouth, mandatharangale Parayuuu!...” All of a sudden he changed the plate like a politician…Athu pinne, Njan Ningalle pattichathaanu! ...Athe Athe…Though the Journey was tough ,we didn’t feel much b’cos of these Jokes…As It was the first experience for us through the forest, so we were thrilled throughout the journey…(I am apologizing to all Idukkians). Rhythm of the nature and us were synchronized and resonated …Saw some houses and huts on the hilly place of the region…faces were faded by the angry Sun…I got tired and stood near to one tree….some one looked back and asked to move…I put my hands on the hip ….Hey, Idamalayer is only One km from here..On the way we saw the board “Welcome to Malayattoor Forest Range…”..Eda nadannu nadannu Malayattor yethiyo…That too gave us a chance to smile….we were walking by the middle of the road and gave way to the woods carrying Lorry, when he put the air horn ….
Reached Idamalayar at 11:00pm..There was a Forest range office…A Tribal School…(had seen children playing at the ground;) School having the facility of Hostel…
And a Canteen….All rushed inside and ordered as each one wished…all took ‘Palayankodan pazham’ after had their second breakfast…While eating, we came to know that ‘Kaani’ of the Adivaasi kudi had come to Idamalayar.. We imagined ‘Kaani’ with crown of Hen’s feather and dressed in their tribal ‘kadum vettu’costumes… Eager to see him….Sudhan chettan came with the person…who looks like a ordinary keralite…Got disappointed( !)..Had an ear ring was the only difference.. ...we don’t have more time to spend here…As you know…It is dangerous to come back when the sun sets….Aana (Elephant) erangiyekkum… . Sudhan’s Alarm… ‘Moopan’ supported his comment by moving his head like a pendulum…
All tied their towels on the head….resumed our Journey to the Community; As Shadows were lessening; took long steps…. ‘Adhivaasi Moopan’ walked in the front….who knows the language of forest…
(The Journey continues…..)
Ennu Snehapoorvam
Subin…..
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place infront of the people.
Exodus 13:21, 22
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