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Life in the lap of nature
JAYANT KAMATH
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Though most of us admit that modern life is killing, none of us have the courage to give it up. Here are a few individuals who dared to give up cushy jobs for a life in communion with nature.
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Planting saplings at Navadarshanam.
IT IS a safe bet that quite a few of those who are reading this piece now, have sometime or the other aspired to "give it all up" and live amidst sublime nature, trying to eke out an existence off the land. But, we have grown so hooked to the superficial warmth that the cocoon of modern civilization provides us, that such thoughts are immediately pushed into the background.
Navadarshanam, located about 50 kms. south of Bangalore, is the culmination of efforts made by a few like-minded individuals, who, dared to do what their hearts told them to. As they themselves admit, it has not been an easy task and ten years since they started, they can look back through the vicissitudes of time, with some satisfaction on a few things they have achieved.
It began in the early 90's, when the country was debating liberalisation and a few individuals had the opinion that too much emphasis was being laid on technology. The relationship between man and nature is not a conflicting one, but a symbiotic one, and it was possible to prosper by nurturing nature as against plundering it. The group also realised that it was possible for an individual to lead a fairly comfortable life without much dependence on technology, particularly of the polluting kind.
And they decided rather impetuously, as they themselves admit, to follow the tune of this unknown pipe. And today, in about 110 acres of what was once harsh and unforgiving land, the group grows organic food and have water supply through solar electricity. The aesthetically designed houses are made of stablilised mud blocks, with redoxide flooring that merge effortlessly into the landscape.
An electric fence, operated with solar electricity, protects their crops and houses from straying elephants. Charcoal is produced locally with the wood grown on their farm, and they cook on an energy efficient cooker, for an average of eight people who stay there.
The time consumed for cooking is much longer but the food retains its flavour.
Of course, they use a gas stove too, when they have guests and visitors. Their herbal tea is guaranteed to transport you to a secret paradise.
They have scrupulously accepted no funding from any agencies and have, to use the oft repeated cliche, tried to stand on their own two feet. Navadarshanam survives on the fruits they grow and what visitors bring for them, who often drop in, to satiate their curiosity and remind themselves of the smells and sounds that they had long since forgotten. An overnight stay here, amidst the emerald landscape, ensures that one returns with a storehouse of memories and a yearning to return.
On requests from schools, which feel that city-bred children do not relate to ecological topics, Navadarshanam has recently also started accepting groups of students. For the children, an outing here is not a picnic with loud music and games, but is oriented towards observing nature, planting trees, pruning grass, removing weeds, and other activities that form a part of the lifestyle that the group has selected for itself.
To reach Navadarshanam, go along Hosur Road and take the right turn at Chandapura to reach Anekal. Then drive a further eight kms. to Gumalapuram and about 200 metres after the village, you see a small board pointing to Navadarshanam.
Alternately, you can take a bus from City Market to Anekal and then to Gumalapuram. Navadarshanam is two kms. away from the bus stand and it is easy to walk the distance in typical rural ambience.
In keeping their philosophy, they accept only eco-conscious visitors. For details contact 8453147 and 8454355.
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