YOUR WASTE WILL HELP WIDOWS OF VIDARBHA TO EARN TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT (16th June 2010, 0940 Hrs)

In the last 12 years – 1997 to 2009 – India has lost more than 200,000 farmers @ of 48 farmers’ suicide every single day for 12 long years to suicide because of various government policies, drought, floods, MNCs’ exploitation and dominance, GM crops, poisonous chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers are the most important community of the nation and surprisingly, instead of helping the farmers to keep continuing farming, we all have closed our eyes because we get food on our dining table without much struggle.

On the 12th of March, I realised that I was also like all others, who are writing, reading, discussing and doing nothing to help the widows of the farmers who have committed suicide. So leaving everything I dedicated my life to support the suicide farmers’ families in Vidarbha. I set my base in Wardha on the 16th of April and since then have been working with farmers’ widows and farmers while trying to understand the reasons of suicide and how I can help these poor widows towards self-reliance to lead a better life with their heads held high.

I started the one-man-crusade on the 18th of March, walked on the streets of Mumbai with a donation box to raise funds for the widows. However, I realised that by living in Mumbai, I will not be able to do much. So finally, last month I have shifted my base from Mumbai to Wardha and will spend all my life serving the widows of Vidarbha. In my lifetime (I really don’t know how many years are left of mine) all I wish is to see farmers’ suicide to stop in Vidarbha and the widows of Vidarbha to become self-reliant as a force that will not only earn their living but also help save the environment through various projects that we plan to execute as funds will start trickling in.

The first project of our movement is setting up a small unit of making paper envelops for kirana / general stores, who have been using plastic to harm the already harmed environment. I have already convinced two widows in village SALOD, who are eagerly looking to start the work ASAP… (please read the exclusive blog: http://support4suicidefarmersfamilies.blogspot.com) and visiting other villages this month to have more members in the team.

This is where your valuable contribution will play a major role to help these widows and nation’s environment. No my dear honorable citizen of India, we are not asking money from you instead in a very humble way, we request you to be kind enough to send us 1,2,3,4,5 or whatever you can, the old issues / used magazines lying in your home as waste, so that we can start making paper envelops, which will be sold to kirana stores… while the widows will earn money by making and selling these envelops, the awareness to safeguard our environment will also help the nation to shun plastic carry bags. If every single individual who is reading this post will send us used / old magazines per month, we will have enough raw materials to make these envelops. We are sure, you will not disappoint us and will send us all the waste magazines month after month… the widows of Vidarbha will be very grateful to you and bless you all from the bottom of their heart and so will the environment too!

Thanking you,

Johnny D

support 4 suicide farmers families

C/o Swapnil Barai

House No: 200

Opp. Dr. Harne’s Hospital

Dhantoli Chowk

Wardha: 442001

Phone: +91 98203 22549

Phone: +91 89830 04533

TWO VILLAGES WITH THE SAME NAME (15th June 2010, 1530 Hrs)

It was really an amazing experience yesterday when I headed towards the village Khurjhadi to meet two deceased farmers’ families. While I pedalled my way in hot sun, the serene beautiful landscape captivated me to a new high with the vast expanse of land in every direction, dark ploughed fields, cattles grazing far away, few village folks looking at me in amazement and one sweet old villager in cycle asked me – ‘Itne dhoop mein kahan ja rahe ho bhai? (where are you going in such a hot sun my dear?)’ I told him I was heading towards Khurjhadi.

The up and down terrain, zig-zag narrow roads, chirping of birds all around and some beautiful landscape – all in all, everything was asking me only one thing – ‘When will the rain come?’ I surely had no answer whatsoever and felt sad as I pedalled my way towards the village. After an hour’s ride I reached the village. However, much to my surprise I had reached the wrong village. The villagers did confirmed the village’s name is Khurjhadi but they also informed me that there has been no suicide in their village. In a way I was a bit disappointed but I was happy to hear that no one has ever committed suicide in this village.

The villagers told me that I was looking at Khurjhadi (Fokta) while their Khurjhadi was Jamata. The one that I was supposed to visit is in another direction and far away. So I had to turn back. While I was returning, I saw an old farmer ploughing the field. I stopped to click some pictures and interacted with him. He was an old farmer and must have crossed 65 plus years and yet he was working. I asked him Kaka (uncle) how many acres of land do you have? He was honest to confess that he had no land and is working as a labour there. I was really sad to hear his confession and thought – when child labour is considered a crime, why is that old-age labour not a crime? A soldier who protects and serves the country is retired after 55 years to get pension… but what about the farmers, who feed the nation has to work till he dies and never gets pension from the nation… WHY? WHY? WHY? Is this what we call RIGHT TO EQUALITY – India’s Fundamental Rights???

He is 65 plus years old and working as a labour

The owner, who was working in the nearby field came and we interacted for about 30 minutes to know about each other. I did counsel them about the building of bhaand around their fields to increase the ground water table, switching over to organic farming for better future, plantation of neem trees all around their fields for organic manure, avoid poisonous chemical fertilsers and pesticides to help save Dharti Maa… the farmers are well aware of all these things but informed me that they have no choice because they don’t have enough money to sustain for three long years to switch over to organic farming. Even if they switch to organic farming, who will feed their families for three long years till the land regains its fertility to give proper yield? I did tell them they should atleast try with a smaller patch of land and gradually increase the area for organic farming.

However, in some small fields I noted there were organic manure lying in big heaps, which made me feel very happy. I only wish the government should start a huge revolution to make organic farming a mandatory in Vidarbha at the earliest. After a while, my disappointment not to reach the correct village was turned into an amazing experience interacting with those farmers.

CREATIVE LOGO DESIGNED BY SAGAR BARAI (15th June 2010, 1025 Hrs)

WHAT DOES THE NATION GIVES THE POOR FARMERS (13th June 1300 Hrs)

Government projects are sanctioned and farmers are forced to sell their fertile land for a meagre sum of amount paid by the administration to facilitate the proposed projects… with a false promise that they will be given another piece of land elsewhere … however, in most cases the land compensated are barren lands, where no one can grow crops… What does a farmer do then? Either, he quits farming once for all to migrate towards cities to do labour jobs to survive with his family or else…

Mind you, the story of suffering and miseries doesn’t end here… the money from the administration takes years to reach the farmer… if he is still alive. And imagine acres and acres of fertile land is being grabbed by government at cheaper rates (if the current price for one acre of land is 6 lakhs or more, then government pays just 60 to 80,000 rupees to the farmers) to increase the woes of the already suffering poor farmers. I wish, all the farmers can go on an indefinite strike like all the other employed professionals or else stop growing food for two consecutive years for the nation to realise how serious their problems are… ironically, these poor farmers don’t even think about themselves, instead selflessly they grow food for the nation… and …

What does the nation give them?

SUICIDE: They are forced towards the brink by the government policies, MNC’s marketing policies, GM seeds and exploitation by politicians, which act in unison against them to force the farmers to take the extreme step.

NO IRRIGATION FACILITIES: Since the last 63 years, only 15 out of the 87 irrigation projects have been able to serve the farmers to an extent that only 20% of nation’s farmlands are been irrigated.

FARMERS HAVE TO SELL WIVES TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN: Bundelkhand farmers had no option left but to sell their wives to moneylenders to feed their children. A 48-Hour Probe was ordered by NCW (National Commission for Women) on the 7th of September 2009, and that 48-Hour has still not complete for the Congress Government…

GRAB THE FERTILE LANDS OF FARMERS IN THE NAME OF STATE PROJECTS: Fertile lands of poor farmers are grabbed at peanuts by the nation administrations to facilitate big corporate giants to establish their billion dollar companies…

POISONOUS CHEMICAL FERTILISERS & PESTICIDES TO SPRAY ON GM CROPS: While the farmers have no option but to use them, no one is realising the real impact of these poison that is crippling the nation with diseases like cancer, chronic mental disorders, mental depression, hyper tension, kidney failures, nervous breakdowns, cardiac arrest, swine flu and what not… These poisonous chemicals are indirectly and directly are also affecting the farmers who are exposed to them towards mood swing, depression and other diseases… so that the medical sector can further suck the blood and money from these poor farmers.

CRY FOR MONSOON ECHOES IN VIDARBHA (11th June 2010, 1935 Hrs)

Clouds-clouds come to Vidarbha
Clouds-clouds shower on Vidarbha
Two years have been too long a time
Deprived farmers were forced to commit a crime

Poison is being consumed by crops, farmers and us alike
Once a boon, farming has become a curse today
Lives here have lost the will to live
Clouds please be merciful this year on Vidarbha

Children are becoming orphan at tender age
Widows have no more tears left to shed
Old helpless grandparents look in disbelief
Clueless about the future of Vidarbha

The dying soil has given up too
As poisonous chemicals seep all the water above
How long will the Mother Earth take it now
As the cry for monsoon echoes in Vidarbha!

Johnny D
11th June 2010

WIDOW ARUNA JIVAN BARADE – THE BRAVEHEART FROM VILLAGE SALOD (9th June 2010, 2340 Hrs)

Every widow has a tale to tell in Vidarbha. Even though each tale has the similar themes of debt and suicide, each life is a tale of trauma, miseries, suffering and the bravery to lead the life that has been gifted by their deceased husband, is so-so different from one another. My second trip to village Salod yesterday evening took me to deceased farmer Jivan Ramji Barade’s house.

Sheetal, the 13 year-young eldest daughter welcomed me and offered me a chair to sit and some drinking water to quench my thirst after pedalling for 30 minutes in hot sun. Her innocence and bright inquisitive eyes were questioning me silently as I enquired about her mother… ‘she will be here any minute now,’ she told me. Aruna Jivan Barade, widow of the farmer arrived shortly while I was trying to have little conversation with the kids (Roshni the youngest of the family is 10 years young)…

The first thing she asked was whether I was given drinking water or not… I nodded and in my broken Marathi told her why I had come to her house. The village Salod has an estimated population of about 6916 and since 2003, there has been only four suicide cases. 32 years young Jivan committed suicide on the 14th of May 2007 leaving behind Aruna with three little children, all below 10 years… Sheetal is 13, Akash is 12 and Roshni is 10 now and they are studying in Standard 7th, 6th and 4th respectively.

Widow Aruna with youngest daughter Roshni & eldest Sheetal

The Barades have just 2 acres of land and are considered to be the smallest farmer in the whole village. Debt is but obvious the only way out to some how make the two-ends meet in the poverty driven life and Jivan took loans from moneylenders to grow crops… the drought took its toll and with no money to return it… he thought the easy way out was ‘SUICIDE’. So gory and pathetic it is for any farmer to chose the easy route to escape the clutches of the loan sharks… How cruel can destiny be of the person who feed us all, to end his life, life that we don’t even bother to shed any tears or else feel any remorse. Every farmer’s death to suicide is the National Loss and Loss in the yearly food grains cultivated for the 1.2 billion Indians.

When I showed Aruna the sample of paper envelop and told her about the small unit that we plan to start in Vidarbha, she showed great interest. The simple reason being she has leased her two acres (45 minutes long walk from her house) for Rs. 3000 /- a month and is currently working as a labourer in her own fields. Now imagine how nature plays a cruel joke on the poor… who has to work in her own fields to earn few extra bucks, so she can feed her children and send them to school. Aruna got Rs. 1 Lakh as compensation from the government and she was brave to refuse to pay the loan amount because she says, ‘I don’t know how much my husband took and I don’t have money, so tell me from where I will pay? I don’t have enough to feed my children so how can I pay their loan? I refused point blank and some how am managing to see my children grow.’ Hats off to Aruna for being so brave to face the situation to see her children get the best from life!

Aruna trying her hand at making an envelop

Aruna is barely 30 years and she has a long way to go to see her children grow into fine earning citizen, so she can enjoy the rest of her life in peace and little comfort. Sheetal knows her responsibilities and promised that she would study well to become something important in life. I assured her that after her 12th grades, the movement will support her for her higher education. While tea was being prepared by Sheetal, I showed Aruna how the envelop is being made… she tried her hand and deep within I was so happy to see her trying with so much passion and eagerness. Sheetal too would chip in to make the envelops to help her mother. As is the village custom, after tea, Sheetal brought a small box, in which there was saunf and ajwain…

Sheetal offers me saunf & ajwain in a customary way

I was touched and took some to chew them to find relief from my long ride and once again become fresh to head to another farmer’s house. More in details about the next deceased family in my next post…

THE TENTH ANGEL (6th June 2010, 1855 Hrs)

Finally on Friday, the 4th of June the Tenth Angel arrived through FB mail… Supriya Manjunath has been friends since last 8 plus years… now what is more surprising is that we met online on Yahoo chat and got to know each other better and better as the years went by. And finally, after chatting for two years, I happened to visit Bangalore and we met in person. It was an amazing meeting in many regards. Supriya even introduced me to her husband Manjunath.

After the meeting, we started talking over phone on and off. As usual, we both loved wishing each other on our birthdays without fail, something that was common to both of us. Interaction with Supriya was always fun and very joyful. In fact, last year we did lost touch because she was having a hectic schedule at her domestic front. We had stopped chatting because of phone calls. Out of the blue in FB, I got her invite and once again things were the same.

In total, I must have mailed to more than 50 plus people to support me for a year… and the Tenth Angel took her time to arrive. However, on Friday I was very happy to get Supriya’s confirmation and when I called to thank her… she told me… 'this I am doing because I believe in my Johnny and what he is doing…' How sweet it could be to one’s ears to hear the trust and confidence in her voice!

Through this post I wish to thank all my ten angels from the bottom of my heart. The Ten Angels are:

Mr. G A (Writer-poet) – Kerala

Mrs. Shachi Bhanushali (Housewife) – Hyderabad

Miss. Nausheen Sardar Ali (Well-know TV actress) – Mumbai

Miss. Bhumika Chedda (Fashion Designer) – Mumbai

Mr. Prem Nath (Well-known Architect-Designer) – Mumbai

A well-known Architect-Designer (prefers to be anonymous) – Mumbai

A well-known Bollywood Director (prefers to be anonymous) – Mumbai

Miss. Tejal Rajyagor (Works for GiveIndia) – Mumbai

Mrs. Payal Gidwani Tiwari & Mrs. Jyoti Gidwani (Celebrity Yoga Instructor – Housewife respectively) - Mumbai

Mrs. Supriya Manjunath (Housewife) - Mysore

TRIBUTE TO ALL THE RAGPICKERS ON THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (5th June 2010, 1420 Hrs)

We often look at them with disgust because of their dirty clothes and smell oozing bodies… however, if they were not part of the solar system, our world would have been under the heeps of waste plastic bottles and other unwanted things long time ago. On the World Environment Day, this post is my tribute to all the ragpickers, who selfishly clean all our unwanted wastes to earn a meagre sum of money after scavenging all day long in hot sun and rainy days in the dirtiest place of the earth to save the earth.

Have you ever thought how they have balanced the environment without really knowing how to pronounce the word or else know the meaning of the buzz word in the world scenario? It is the hunger in their stomach and their poor condition of living that has made them to selfishly (they do it to earn some money, so I termed them as selfish) clean all the garbage that we so-called educated throw without a single thought about spoiling the environment. Isn’t it strange that people who are educated, are actually endangering the environment by splurging on their comforts while uneducated poor people are the ones, who are protecting the environment while earning money out of the wastes?

There are global conventions where in billions of dollars are spent for the comfort of the official respresentatives from various countries, ironical though, we will never spent money on the real people who are cleansing all the wastes from the world, just because they are poor. The difference between them and us is simple… while we will talk big and do nothing, they say nothing but do everything. Action speaks louder than the words – this quote aptly describes the two sides of human’s callousness.

A mere 10 minutes power cut in metros makes everyone swear the government for the inefficiency, ironically, a 12 to 14 hours power cut in rural India is silently taken in stride with a smile to get accustomed in every day’s life. While the villages of India contribute the bigger chunk or percentage to save environment, sadly once again, they are never even mentioned anywhere for their efforts and contributions, while in cities, there will be Tom, Dick and Harry shouting aloud buying the media to say how they have saved the environment by bragging doing such and such thing or else switch off lights for one hour for just one day in 365 days and then they claim they have saved the world…

These ragpickers are not at all helped or supported by our government or environmental bodies. While their efforts, which has a such a big impact on environment, goes unnoticed by one and all, they are not even provided with protective gears to spend 8 to 10 hours in toxic wastelands. On top of all that, their service doesn’t even get any pay hike or else pension from the government. Instead we look at them with disgust, little forgetting that it is because of them we are enjoying a better environment. Hats of to all the ragpickers in the world, who are doing what we educated fellows can never even think of doing to save environment! It is truly a boon and a curse to be born poor but it is the poor who always plays an important part to make lives better for everyone!

Time we wake up from our sleep before it is too late!

FIRST WIDOW CONFIRMS TO BE PART OF THE SMALL UNIT (4th June 2010, 2200 Hrs)

Yesterday I purchased a bicycle to pedal my way to all the nearby villages, so that I can save money spent on conveyance all along. And today morning, for the first time after so many years, I pedalled my way to SALOD, a village that is situated 10 kms away from Wardha. The heat surely turned my hands in a well-tanned colour and by evening, it was hurting a little. However, when I was pedalling my way to the village, I felt nothing at all. In fact, I enjoyed my ride in an amazing way looking away the dried landscape of the surroundings, cattle resting in whatever little shade they got, ploughed fields and some farmers still working in hot sun.

As soon as I entered the village, I enquired in a shop about the two cases of suicide. Fortunately, I met brother of the deceased farmer Prakash Bhagwan Jhod, who had committed suicide in 2005 because of debt. The brother refused to talk to me and told there was no one at home, inspite of my request to share some information. I approached the next house of the deceased farmer Jivan Ramji Barade… the house was found lock. So I had no choice but to return back, when immediately I thought about the Gram Panchayat Office. A little boy in cycle was too happy to guide me to the office.

I was given water to drink and then I got to know of two more cases that had happened long time back in Salod village. From there, when I reached deceased farmer Bapuram Sitaram Bhosari’s house, it was locked too. The last one was the house of deceased farmer Prabhakar Ramrao Sagare’s house. Fortunately, the family was at home. I was welcomed, given water to drink, followed by orange squash and then a small box was handed to me. When I asked what was it, one of the daughters told me it was supari (beetlenut). I chewed on two small pieces and wondered that why such warm hospitality is missing in today’s urban life? Inspite of the poor lifestyle they lead, the villagers have a very big heart to welcome a guest, truly amazing and worth mentioning.

P R Sagare left behind three daughters and his widow wife in 2003, when he committed suicide at the age of 35 years because of debt. He was also suffering from high sugar level and since he couldn’t take the every day harassment of the loan sharks, he gave up on life. The eldest daughter have been married away and the younger ones are both doing their Diploma in Education from Deoli, in the hope to become teachers in coming years. The widow wife revealed that they had got married at a very young age of 16 or 17. She was talking to me in Marathi, which I could understand but since I cannot speak the language all that fluent, the youngest daughter Vaishali was translating to her mom. It is really heartening to see the pain in their eyes for missing the only important person in their lives. It has been seven years now and I can well imagine how the young daughters must have faced the situation to find one day, their father is no more.

Shefali, widow of P R Sagare and Vaishali

I told them that I am planning to involve all the widows to start making paper envelops and establish a small unit, which will help them earn some extra money. I gave them the samples and asked if they would be interested to be part of the team. I was really happy because the daughters along with the mother gave their ‘yes’ to me. So here I am, we are all set now to start making these envelops to save the environment in our own small ways while the widows of Vidarbha will start earning some money to support their families in a small way. The ride back home was very amazing because now we have the first member of our small unit! And when I came back home, I got my TENTH ANGEL also… truly a good day indeed!

THE EIGHTH ANGEL CONFIRMS HER CONTRIBUTION (3rd June 2010, 2355 Hrs)

Even before she gave me her confirmation to support me for a year, I knew well before hand that I can always count on Payal Gidwani and her mom Jyoti Gidwani, whom I have known from the past one decade. The wonderful aspect of our friendship has been that without fail, we used to wish each other every birthday… even if we have not talked over phone for a year.

In my earlier post I had written about the nine angels and there I had mentioned that one angel would confirm later… so finally today I got Payal’s confirmation as she was busy with her hectic schedule. Payal and husband Manish Tiwari are yoga instructors, who train celebrity clients in Mumbai… prominent among them are Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan.

I met Jyoti Gidwani at Fashion Designer Seema Roye’s studio and since we both are Sai Baba’s bhakt, we related almost instantaneously. And since then, we have kept in touch over phone and at times do catch up once in a while. Amazing are some relationship that are always there to help each other at such times… May Sai Baba bless all the angels with more bigger heart to change the world in their own small ways… Om Shri Sai!

WIDOWS OF VIDARBHA WILL SOON START TO EARN TO SAVE ENVIRONMENT! (2nd June 2010, 2130 Hrs)

Right from the very beginning I have always believed that widows of the farmers, who have committed suicide, are going to be a force to reckon with in near future. The only drawback is that the world has so far treated them as an object of pity, rather than the force of the future. Hence, there has been no progress at all.

I have been visiting villages and interacting with them, trying to understand their needs, aspirations and the will to lead a life of dignity with their heads held high. Even before I came to Vidarbha, I had thought of various plans that would be implemented in a slow and steady manner over a period of time under – support 4 suicide farmers families – project. In another 15 days’ time, we plan to set up a small unit of paper envelops to be used by kirana (general / ration) stores, first in villages and gradually as we grow, it will be taken to the cities’ shops as well.

Initially, I am working on teaching them the art of making these envelops and will provide them with papers (magazines’ sheets) and material for glue. Once we are able to get at least five or more widows, who are willing to be part of the small unit, we will start making these envelops. First, we will start from their respective villages and give free 50 / 100 envelops to the shops for trial. And then these envelops will be sold to shopkeepers for a price, there by generating earnings for these widows. While the these women will be earning, indirectly in their own small ways will be saving environment by reducing the use of plastic bags, which is used so extensively in every part of the nation.

Even though, the government knows the ill-effects of all these plastic bags that is affecting the environment, they are simply not bothered at all about it. I still remember, in my school days I used to make paper envelops in my free time with the magazines’ sheets and sell it to earn my pocket money. Truly so, how handy and environment friendly that experience has been for me to utilise it in Vidarbha today. Pray that very soon, we the family of – support 4 suicide farmers families – are able to supply these envelops to all the Mumbai shops and generate awareness among the urban population about the ill-effects of plastic bags.

The journey has just begun with a bright age-old idea that I learned in my school days.

The small project has multiple benefits:

Widows will be able to work in their free time in their respective homes to earn some money (will depend on the number of envelops they make in a month).

Paper envelops are environment friendly and so will help save the environment in a small and steady manner.

The paper envelops will generate awareness to shun plastic bags, which is bad for environment.

Shopkeepers will play a vital role to bridge the gap between the customers and the family of – support 4 suicide farmers families –

THE NINTH ANGEL (31st May 2010, 2130 Hrs)

Angels do exist even in this modern world. The only thing is that they are visibly invisible to all of us. Only when they enter your lives out of nowhere, you are amazed by the angel’s presence. So far, I have been blessed to have 9 beautiful angels… who are not only assisting me with encouraging words but also they have taken a great step to support me for one long year, so I can zealously work with the suicide farmers’ families in Vidarbha.

In my earlier post, I had written about eight generous angels who came forward to see that this serious issue needs more to be done… their encouraging words, kind generosity and the assurance that they will always stand by me to support the cause, truly cannot be measured in any which ways.

The ninth angel arrived through Facebook chat at night on Friday, the 28th May… Tejal Rajyagor works for the NGO GiveIndia. And her first message (on chat) was – ‘Johnny don’t worry, if Mr. Bachchan is not supporting you… I will take the responsibility.’ (So far, I haven’t heard from Mr. Bachchan’s office or him…) Now this was something so amazing to hear from her as I was inching towards my 10 required angels… we chatted for some time and the next day, we talked over phone. When we became friends on Facebook, Tejal had written to me saying – ‘If ever you need my support, please do let me know and I shall do the needful.’ And true to her words, the beautiful angel joined the other angels without thinking twice.

Tejal came to know about the movement from one of the Yahoo Groups and almost immediately started following the blog and she was curious to know all about it. She wrote to me with her questions in March and since then has been following the blog. Tejal’s compassion to do something for the down trodden made her to quit the cozy Financial Sector last year after working for 3 long years, so she could join GiveIndia. It’s indeed a very rare case for me but she says, ‘It was an awakening call to do something for the less fortunate and I knew what I wanted to do in life. So I quit and joined GiveIndia.’

Even though we have never met face-to-face, we connected over phone as if we have been friends since a long time. Apart from supporting me, Tejal is working on generating awareness about many social issues that has touched her hearts. I really don’t have words for all the angels, who have entered my life to support the cause in such a noble ways. I have approached more than 45 people so far to find 9 beautiful angels… Who will be the tenth angel???

THE TEN GENEROUS ONES… (27th May 2010, 2125 Hrs)

When I started the movement, I really didn’t even think twice as to how I would support myself while working endlessly with the suicide farmers’ families. The movement started from roads but since I didn’t wanted to launch an NGO (it is a one-man-crusade and one requires three trustees to float an NGO), there were various ground realities and problems. Without anyone to support me, will I be able to survive and work towards the cause that has made me to give up everything in life?

I remember having interviewed a Bollywood director during my stint as a film journalist. I still remember she told me, she had pitched her concept to various corporate houses and friends, who invested to make a beautiful movie titled KAL…YESTERDAY & TOMORROW. I am talking about Ruchi Narain. She has inspired me to take up one step further to request for support from ten generous people from various walks of life.

When I shared my helplessness with friends about my monthly expenses to be raised so I could work more effectively with the farmers’ families in Vidarbha, they came in readily to chip in with their monthly contribution of Rs.1000 /- per month to support me for one full year. Like Ruchi, I mailed and made few calls to some good people I knew… and by Sai Baba’s grace and blessings at this very hour, I have got seven humble people, who have not asked any questions and have pledged and contributed to raise the money for my monthly expenses. I am deeply touched by the gestures of all these wonderful people, who have come forward to support me so selflessly. Their invaluable contribution to stop farmers’ suicides in Vidarbha showed how much they have been affected and do care seriously about the issue.

A writer-poet from Kerala Mr. G A (requested his full name not to be published) was the first one, who came forward, followed by my old friend Mrs. Shachi Bhanushali (a housewife) from Hyderabad. Television actress Nausheen Sardar Ali, another old friend readily promised to support me and as I was leaving her house, her first Rs.1000 /- was in my hand. Mr. Prem Nath, well-known Architect-Designer called me the next day morning after receiving my SMS and mail to give a pat for the good deed. He immediately asked for my postal address and said the cheque would be there. And yes, his one year contribution was at home even before I knew. Mr. Prem Nath’s greatness is his humility and humane nature. I am glad as the Editor of an Interiors Magazine, I have had the beautiful experience to interview and know him in person.

There are two very special persons, who have requested to remain anonymous for their yearly contribution. One is a very well-known director in Bollywood and the second one is a well-known Architect-Designer. I have to get one confirmation from another old friend, who promised she would call me tomorrow for sure after discussing with her mom. I have written to couple of more people I know and also to Mr. Bachchan to complete the TEN! Hopefully by tomorrow, I will have all the ten to make the base of the movement firm and strong with their invaluable kind contributions.

I have approached many people, out of which these people have come forward to encourage me with their strong support and great help. And what is more wonderful is that for next year for the June 2011 to May 2012 period… I have already been promised by two students, who will graduate as Masters of Management next year. I really have no suitable words to thank all these people as I am indebted to them for life. Now I can work with the poor farmers more zealously, who cannot afford or pay for an extra labour as the monsoon starts… From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank one and all for your invaluable help! Sai Baba blesses you all! – Cuidate!

FEW GOOD PEOPLE I MISSED TO MENTIONED EARLIER… (25th May 2010, 2145 Hrs)

I would like to ask forgiveness from few generous people, who have contributed for the cause with their valuable donation in the past few weeks. I am really sorry for not able to write about you all in my blog. Please do forgive me… I am sure you all will, for sure…

First of all, Mitesh Thakkar, a Bandra resident have been very supportive about the movement. We met in April just when I was about to leave for Vidarbha. Mitesh has been following my blog and one fine day called me over phone. When we met, we discussed many things about the serious issue and he was wondering all the while, how he could help in his own ways. His valuable contribution of Rs. 200/- will surely go a long way to help the suicide farmers’ families. Mitesh is also in the pipeline to float an NGO to save trees in very near future with his friends. I wished him all the very best and hope his selfless work to save the environment will be a boon for our nation. Sorry Mitesh for writing about you after so many days…

Prajakta Patil, a Masters’ student in Jankidevi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Santacruz, Mumbai is a passionate little powerhouse. She has been very serious about the farmers’ suicide issue and keeps herself abreast of all that is happening in Vidarbha, since she hails from Nagpur. She was curious to know about how I am going to make use of all the funds that will be raised in time to come… even though she had had a hard day in her internship organisation, I informed her about my plans. And just before she was leaving, she turned back and said – ‘Here’s a small contribution from my side’ and a ten rupee note landed in my folded hands with gratitude. Even though she is just a student, the heart to contribute is what touched me the most about Prajakta. Sorry Prajakta for missing to write about your valuable contribution all these days.

There is another Masters’ student from the same institute and she has the same first name and hails from Amravati. Prajakta Mahure has been hearing about farmers’ suicide since her growing up years. Her interest to know more about the issue sparked a long session and she was a keen listener as well as shared great insight about the issue, since she hails from Vidarbha. We talked for near about two hours and I shared my vision, plans and slow and steady execution of various projects in near future. As we were about to part, she contributed Rs. 50 / - for the cause. She even assured and promised that when she would start earning, she would be there to give financial help from her side for the cause. I really didn’t had words to thank her for what she had promised me… wish there are more Prajakta in this world to come forward to see farmers’ suicide stop in Vidarbha… I am confident that one day this reality will happen… may be it may take me 10, 20 or 25 years of my dedication and devotion with all the help from the world.

Aravind Chandrasekaran from Chennai has had a brief stint at Harvard. He has been supporting the cause since its inception in Facebook and have read various blog posts on and off. Even though we have been interacting through mails, Aravind’s generous contribution on his birthday of Rs.1500 /- came in as a beautiful gift. His small (he calls its small, though it is really big) contribution is assisted with designing of various campaigns (in the pipeline) that he has taken the responsibility on his own for the cause. Aravind is into Social Media and Internet Business and has various plans to raise funds for the cause. I am so glad that so many young people are touched and worried about the serious issue to come forward to provide their generous contribution and help. I am really sorry Mitesh, Prajakta P, Prajakta M and Aravind for not writing about your valuable contribution for the cause. I do hope you will all forgive me… cuidate!

FROM AUGUST 2009... NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT ALL... THE SITUATION HAS BECOME WORST INSTEAD

NOTE: I had written this post in August 2009... nothing has really changed... every leaders mentioned in this post are still lying blatantly and no concrete steps have been taken as yet...

SOLUTION TO FIGHT BACK DROUGHT (dated 20th August 2009)Trying to raise a voice for our farmers, I will be writing on the topic on a regular basis. And I also do hope TV anchors will take up this SERIOUS issue and question the government for an answer and solution as to why they are always trying to solve it on a temporary basis. Honestly, it is high time our media system should be more responsible towards their duty and responsibility, follow up the serious issue endlessly, till the government finds a real permanent solution. I request them sincerely from the bottom of my heart regarding the serious issue…

Our PM just to assure the nation gave away the mindless statement in the media – ‘We have enough food stock, so no need to panic because of drought!’ (the only change in his speech today was - things will be controlled by December... how Mr. PM, when every month you are increasing the rate of petrol without fail or thinking... oh I forgot... you don't think at all because Sonia says and you execute as PM) – The PMO’s media activity is just so childish because it is common sense, what will happen next year (for our food stock) if there is drought in 246 districts in the nation this year… Mr. PM, how will we meet our food stock requirements next year (but obvious, prices will increase further, isn’t it?)??? How can Dr. Manmohan Singh, an economist of such a high calibre give such a statement in the media?

My previous blog (18th August) did see the media questioning the Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who confirmed that near about 10 million tonnes of rice crops’ shortage (when India is wasting food grains worth 58,000 crores every year Mr. Pawar?) will be experienced next year because of this drought… He also said that they would release more food items to ration stores all over nation… Mr. Pawar, how will it help the poor farmers in any which way to combat the drought? Can you please explain the nation… Common Sense, common sense in capital letters Mr. Minister… It is WATER for CROPS that our farmers need at this hour of crisis…

Will the government really look into this serious issue in a serious manner? Will the media please question and highlight this issue more seriously? Will our ministers forget about other trivial issues and talk more about this issue aggressively in our parliament hours to force Manmohan Singh’s government to take serious action and implement a permanent solution? There are more questions that requires to be answered by our government to take care of our poor farmers, who are protecting irrigation water with guns today in Bihar… Agriculture minister should be answerable to each farmer’s death in the nation… Our PM too should be responsible as to why he is looking the other way at rich industrialists rather than our poor farmers???

Well, I request all the channels’ head to highlight the plight of our farmers in a serious dedicated manner to get a proper government action for a permanent solution to fight drought or other natural calamities like flood… this year, it is drought, chances are there will be floods the year to follow, once again crops will be washed away… what will the government do next year to solve the problem then? While rich stars of Bollywood are wooed by various insurance institutions to insured their lives in case of accidents, why our government cannot make it mandatory for these institutions to insure the crops of our farmers in case of loss and damages from natural calamities… this will not only help the crop production for the country, but also will save many farmers’ lives… nation’s anndatas!

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (21st May 2010, 0120 Hrs)

Only if you believe
You will try
Only if you try
You will succeed
Only if you succeed
You will be worshipped

The problem starts there after
As you want more and more
The more you succeed
The more you will be worshipped
The more you are worshipped
The more your problems erupt

With all the problems in the world
We humans break down instantly
Worries, tears, miseries, struggle
Seems never ending
Life seems like a curse
Little realising, there’s more to life

Life is beautiful
Only if you value yours
Looking beyond
Worries, tears, miseries and struggle
Smiling every moment
Whether happy or sad

Life is beautiful
When you go beyond
Thinking about your trivial issues
Giving others joy
With your smile
And your love

It’s difficult
We all know that
But have you ever tried?
You may ask what about others?
Each one of us gives
Without realizing what we have given

Smile, love, help, aid
Are in disguise
Unrestricted, they brighten other’s life
Lessening their woes
As each one gives others
Life smiles

In recognition of your nature
Small-small gestures
Turn into big events
As life smiles all around
You realise
How beautiful it is to be living!



Johnny D
8th October 2006

THANK YOU FARMERS, IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU, WE ARE LIVING! (17th May 2010, 2150 Hrs)

In Vidarbha, I am currently doing proper research to understand various important reasons of rampant farmers’ suicides, while scouting for ambitious bright children (from the affected families) to sponsor them for their further studies after their tenth grade in near future. It is a long process to understand the complexities of farmers’ suicides in the region. There are many factors affecting the poor farmers to take the drastic step towards suicide and only by interaction with as many suicide farmers’ families I will be able to understand their real problems.

My sole intention to help farmers and their families is, that in near future I want to see them become self-reliant and lead a dignified life with their heads held high. I really don’t intend to treat and see these families as an object of pity but I want to see them as a great potential for the bright future of India. They have already suffered enough in their lives feeding the nation… it is the least I can do for them with all the help from the citizen of the world.

Farmers are the most essential community of any nation or in that matter, every single individual is directly connected and indebted to them for providing us valuable food through out our lives. The least we all can do is to support them by being thankful for their selfless sacrifice to come out of this serious catastrophe called ‘Suicide’… I know I will not be able to stop such a phenomenon in mere few years but my devotion to lead them towards a bright future surely is going to fetch some results in coming years.

Uncertain about her future...

I have been often asked by people who contribute as to how I plan to execute things to support farmers’ families with all the funds that are being raised for the cause. Well, things definitely are not going to be as easy as everyone thinks because of various factors. The movement will achieve its target in a slow and steady manner so that we don’t falter by setting up various projects. Yes, I will be needing a lot of funds to see all the projects come alive to see smiles on these widows’ worried faces. I know and am confident that the world will come forward to contribute to support these families to lead them towards a new future.

Support 4 Suicide Farmers Families:

1). Helping affected families towards self-reliance: Understanding their needs and their expertise in their respective field. Scouting for ambitious children of the affected families to sponsor them for higher studies.

2). Neem tree plantation in affected villages to increase the green belt and help check soil erosion from the farmlands. Neem tree’s fruits and leaves can be used to make organic manure… neem datun (sticks) will be packed to be sold in urban cities, thereby helping the families to earn extra income from the trees.

3). Shifting towards Organic Farming for better and safe future.

4). Setting up small scale units (dairy, cattle rearing, food products, vegetables high-end shops, organic manure units and setting up gobar gas plants in affected villages – everything will be run by the affected families’ women).

5). Increase water table in the region by rain water harvesting and building check dams and introducing mandatory bhaand (high mud walls around the farmlands) along with future irrigation infrastructure in villages.

6). Counselling farmers and families about the ill-effects of heavy use of chemical poisonous fertilizers and pesticides, avoid GM Crops… saving seeds, avoid alcohol addiction and save money in a proper manner.

7). India’s first Organic village – the mission that I am working on very passionately so that ONE ROLE MODEL VILLAGE will open the eyes of the world!

As of now, I can only share some of my vision because as I will be understanding their problems more and more in coming months… there will be many more plans and projects in the future depending on the funds that will flow in… because money plays an important part to set up all these things. I am very confident and positive that the world will come forward to help the cause to set up all these projects in coming years. So please, a sincere request to one and all to come forward to contribute from the bottom of your hearts to say, “Thank You Farmers, It is because of you, we are living!”

WISH LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI WAS ALIVE TODAY (15th May 2010, 1400 Hrs)

During my recent visit in some of the villages in Vidarbha, the interaction I had had with few small farmers (who have less than 3 acres of cultivated land) indicated that they are frustrated with the system and their own lives, as nothing seems to provide any succour to them. No wonder, one farmer named Sudhakar Rao says with total frustration – “Government should take all our land and feed us for life along with taking care of all our needs for life… only then, the suicide in the region will stop!” I wondered if this was the only solution left for the nation to pay attention to the farmers’ suicides in the region and the nation…

There are many farmers who have been part of their village gram panchayat since decades, who confessed in unison – “None of the political parties have really worked for the welfare of the farmers in the region and the nation since Independence… they all come once in five years with folded hands to ask for our votes and then vanish till the next election. These are the same political parties, who divide the villagers in different faction, so they can win election. Once they win, they don’t even bother to visit us, forget about doing anything for the betterment of our community.”

Small farmers in Vidarbha are facing problems to sustain themselves and some how surviving from committing suicide. The shortage of farm labours during the seasons and the ever demanding escalating labour wages have not only increased their initial investment but also these factors have affected badly to cut a huge chunk from their yearly income. “There are no options as labours are mandatory during the sowing and harvesting seasons. The ever increasing rates of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides are also killing us. There is absolutley no respite for us…tell us how will we surivive with no extra income or work post season… farming has become a burden rather than a lucrative profession. Yes, if there had been proper irrigation infrastructure and system in the region, then no farmer would have dared to commit suicide. 8 out of the 12 months in a year, our land gives us nothing excpet worries,” states Sudhakar Rao.

He further says, “The policies of government to waive the loan of the farmers have been the greatest mistake as those who benefitted were big farmers and not the majority of us, the small farmers. The subsidies food grains is another flaw in the system as the government wants us to remain poor life long… why this inequality when under the consititution of our nation, every Indian has equal rights to be an Indian! The government has divided class to benefit the rich and exploit the poor. All these policies should stop with immediate effect. If at all, the government is serious for our welfare, they should take away all our lands and take care of our families’ need, give proper employment to our sons and daughters… but the irony is that farmers of the nation who feed the nation are forced to commit suicide or else leave farming.”

Even God has been impartial to the farmers, who are fighting a long lost battle of survival in Vidarbha. Every single policy is against the farmers while benefitting the corporate giants, who are sucking whatever blood is left in the poor farmers. Greed, corruption and exploitation seem to be unending for these corporate companies, who wants to control the food industry with their poisonous intention and fertilizers and pesticides. I wonder, why our nation’s government are supporting these corporate giants (Monsato) to kill our poor farmers while feeding the nation with poisonous food products. When will we wake up? When will one good politician come in front to stop all these malpractices, save our nation’s farmers, stop supporting the greedy corporate giants and provide succour to the selfless community who are feeding the nation while their own are dying of hunger and suicides???

Wish Lal Bahadur Shastri was alive in today’s time!!!

SOIL, WATER & SEEDS (14th May 2010, 1300 Hrs)

Soil, water and some seeds
The basic every farmer needs
The government policies do deprieve
So the farmers would commit suicides

The vicious cycle of the corporate
Increases farmers’ suicide’s rate
The urbanites are still unaware
Who will help the farmers to care

Soil’s fertility is fed poisonous fertilizers
Produce is poisoned with chemical pesticides
What we eat make us sick
So the Pharma sector can be rich

While the Pharma and Insurance sectors
Have grown in leaps and bounds
The agriculture sector is being overthrown
So Monsato can rule with a crown

Corporate are selling water in bottles
Tightening the noose around farmers’ cattles
While Coke and Pepsi stars are in competition
There is not enough water for farmlands’ irrigation

GM Crops don’t breed any seeds
So the farmers have to shell out more
When will Monsato stop its greed
And stop killing our farmers instead

The government licks the corporate czars
While counting suicide farmers buying swanky cars
How can we all eat food soaked in farmers’ blood
Tell me please world, do we really care?

When will we really care to save our farmers?

Johnny D
14th May 2010

GLOBAL WARMING (12th May 2010, 2200 Hrs)

It is THE worry
What our future holds?
For the greed
That has satisfied all our wants so far.

More,
Not content with the required needs
The greed has endangered the globe
As nature repays our past actions.

Soaring, dipping
Temperatures controlling deaths
Tsunami, hurricanes
Leave catastrophes behind
Rains submerging cities
Drought defies the want for want!

Researchers are busy to understand
The nature of nature
As nature declares global warming
Calamities spread its tentacles all around.

Comforts or catastrophes
It is hard to control both now
Learning our lessons way too late
How do we curb our greed?

In the past, to comfort our present
We have endangered our future
Changing faster with each passing day
It is now nature’s time to have the last laugh!


Johnny D
16th April 2007