Yesterday I had a memorable visit to a village called kalakheda, with my cousin brother Viren an ADO(Agricultural Development Officer), whose work is to make aware farmers about the new polices and schemes of government and allot money for them. It was an official visit but for me it was more like a picnic. Journey to the village was very interesting as well as beautiful. I enjoyed the ride watching the amazing sceneries first on NH3 and then on the alley towards the village. Only thing visible besides us was, gold of the farmers, wheat, fully grown, rippling in the breeze. It actually appears like gold to me from its bright yellow color.
Finally we reach our destination, a typical and conventional kachha house, by which an obsolete tractor was standing as it is placed in some museum. I saw a middle aged man, color on his face, joining his both hands approaching Viren to wish Holi. The name was Shankar Singh, who tried to touch the feet of Viren but not able to succeed. It is easily understandable why Shankar Singh try to touch my brother’s feet (Viren might have helped him in some or the other way), but then came the moment which made me feel very awkward. Shankar Singh, a 50+ man having a children elder than me, tried to touch my feet either. Although I somehow managed to escape this situation, it raised many questions into my mind.
In search of my answer I tried to concentrate on the conversation between Viren and Shankar Singh. The talk was on the new scheme of Government called ‘HALLAD’, which consist a promotional payment of one thousand to all those farmers who cultivate their lands by hiring tractors from others. The farmer, who trusts my brother blindly, was least interested in listening to Mr. ADO’s policy. He just asked where he needs to sign. But that was not the answer to my question.
With my anxious face I turn around to Shankar Singh’s son, try to convince him to have a walk with me and show me their golden wheat crop. I ask very casually about the quality of wheat they grow this year. I was completely unaware that all my answers are waiting for me here. He replied me politely” hum yahan pani ki kami ke karan kewal chana hi uga paate thai, par sahaab(my brother) ki wajah se hi yahan par bandh ban paya hai, jisse hum gehun ugaa sakte hain. Ab hamari aamdani doguni ho gayi hai. Sahaab us pani ki sunehri machli ko hamare kheton mein le aaye hai. ” I was more happy than stunned. Bro is now a real hero for me; it reminds me Shahrukh of my favorite movie ‘Swades’. The answers to all my questions are now in front of me and they are crystal clear. This was reason why we received the warmth welcome in this village. It’s my brother who actually brings that beautiful goldfish on the land.
I ask Viren how he did it. The reply was not obvious “I did my work honestly and efficiently. Government had scheme, I just applied that for the farmers”. What an answer was that for me, and seriously if we look it closely, it is not at all a big deal for my brother as well as for any ADO. There are about 900 hundred ADOs in Madhya Pradesh, if everyone starts doing such kind of honest work, without being snatching farmers money to their bank accounts, will create a huge difference for the state and the country.
This should be the message for all of us. Instead of blaming government and others, we should me more concentrated on what we have to do, and how it can be improved every time. A very little thing we do, will surely count in some way or the other. So just keep faith in our self and do work honestly.
