Thursday, July 7, 2011

THE NEW OLD WORLD OF INDIA: MELGHAT; District: AMRAVATI; Region: VIDARBHA; State: MAHARASTRA; INDIA – PART IV

The next day, Chandrakant and I drove on his motorcycle through the hilly terrains and jungles of Melghat... the lovely woods, trees all around, the pureness of air, farmers ploughing fields, women busy filling water from wells and hand pumps – all seemed so-so wonderful and the untouched beauty, in spite of all the miseries, sorrows and hardships – the Korku Tribe are a content lot living life in a completely different world all together... so much part of the world and yet... with no electricity, no drinking water, no health centres, no proper school, no roads, no greed to loot the jungle... they in fact, are protecting the nature to the best of my knowledge and in a much better way than any educated person (who seems to know all) in the world.


Every village has one Godly structure like this...

They worship nature instead of the worldly religious Gods... they pray in a unique way as Chandu explained me about the yearly religious festival... the village priest would climb at the top of the platform with offerings and pray while villagers will be singing and dancing all around... mystifying indeed but the respect for nature is here to see and experience... they only use that much of woods and fruits from the jungles, water from natural stream and wells that is sufficient for the family to survive... there is absolutely no wastage and accumulation of anything one can see... when you enter a villagers home made of wood, bamboo mats, mud and cow dung... all one can see in the house are few utensils to prepare food, a swing made of old clothes for babies to sleep and farming tools... Chandu informed me that when the family sits to eat, all their pets are also sitting together with the family members to have food... pets are family members... I certainly would like to experience staying with the villagers in my next visit for sure.


Dr. Priyadarsh, his Mother, Chandu & me...

The long drive through the beautiful hilly terrain was treacherous but so soothing (as I was the pillion rider) while capturing the sights in my camera. At Katkumbh, Chandrakant took me to introduce to another amazing young doctor, named Dr. Priyadarsh Vijay Ture. Dr. Ture’s dedication surely is praiseworthy because he decided to devote his services for the poor tribal villagers rather than work in some multi-speciality hospitals in cities. His dedicated service as the Medical Officer of PHC Katkumbh since April 2009 has saved many precious lives in the region from dangerous snake and deadly insect bites and other diseases.... round-the-clock this young doctor is at service as he lives in the hospital premise itself. Even though I was meeting him for the very first time, the instant bonding was really amazing! We were served nice breakfast by his loving mother and even shared few lovely moments with his few friends and family members. I wonder at times, how many unknown houses and beautiful homes have kept my share of food ready for me? Truly feel blessed for this unknown journey of destiny that Sai Baba has chalked out in such a way.


The amazing beauty of nature in Melghat...

Leaving Chilati with so many memorable moments and lovely interaction with so many villagers and children... I will definitely be visiting these remote villages more to provide whatever we can in near future once the Trust is registered... because ultimately, every project’s implementation needs huge funds to support and see thing get executed in perfection for the benefits of the poor villagers. Chandu dropped me at Paratwada bus station and after lunch, we parted with a promise to see more of each other in near future at the Dhadak Mohim, starting from July 20th for three long months. Yes, I will be joining the dedicated force of Melghat Maitri along with Dr. Ture’s friends and volunteers from all over Maharastra and yes, few students from the US of A...

... concluding part!

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