Today I read my personal diary and came to see the incident of this day. 5th
February 2016 was an unprecedented day which has been the stepping stone in the
pathway of my self discovery. The climate, weather
and every moment of the day was amazing as I felt very energetic to carry out
any kind of activities. It was the
spectacular morning with evergreen view of environment. I could observe the
waves of Punatshachu flooded by Ruddy shelduck a common bird of valley
swarming the beach. The silent flow of river, evergreen beauty of blue pine and
the aesthetic scene of mustard cultivation had energized me to work for the
day. Firewood and fodder collection,
feeding of cattle with water and fodder had been the main work of the day.
With
knife hanged around my wrist, I went down the agriculture filed to prune Bauhinia
purpurea a common fodder tree of the village. It was the time where I have
to use my silvicultural knowledge of pruning for better growth and
regeneration. Climbing the tree though small had been my challenge as I made it
through lot of difficulties. I collected enough of the leaves to the cattle
which took me more than two hours which otherwise would be a half hour task of
normal farmers. Carrying the fodders to cattle was the moment which I cannot
forget as it was at that very moment when my body has been flooded with lots of
ants. It was the piercing bite of ants which made me to run down Punatshanchu
River and remove my cloths to take bath to neutralize my pain. By then it was
10 o’clock when my friend call me to go for firewood collection with him.
Climbing
up the hill was another challenging moment. I could not imagine the hardship my
ancestors and parents faced. With axe on my shoulder and knife hanged around
wrist I climbed the hill until we reached at an area full of death trees. The
fire a year ago has damaged the trees badly to benefit villagers with plenty of
firewood. I chopped a wood though
foresters by profession have to perform such activities for the family. Towards
my surprise, the firewood collection of the village is different. Unlike
carrying, we have to drag a log itself until we reach to the house. It was the
challenging day as I firstly have to drag the log which is not only dangerous
but also heavy for student like me. The
pain on back and body was a normal thing compared to blisters and blood
scratches on the shoulder. It was that very day I learnt, the challenges and hardships
farmers face in life. By the time I reached my household I was completely
tired, the energetic mood of morning and desire for work has completely ended.
But I still have another work for the day to feed cattle with water.
The
cows are fed with fodder and straw in their shed. Herding cattle outside is
rare work as the area is dry with fewer grasses. Taking cattle to river for
drinking has been the usual job of the family. In that very day I took cattle
down the Punatsangchu River to help them with water. I knew the cattles were
very thirsty and at the same time thought that it was the light job. It was
in-fact the most tiresome job than any other job. Collecting firewood isn’t
that heavy as I only have to drag it but I was physically and mentally challenged
by running of cattle. Physically I have to run to catch them and was fully
tired by running after. Mentally am very sad by such incidences that I have
never experienced such type of incident with cows though I have been a cow
herder.
The
most interesting and in-fact dangerous moment was the witness of bull fight.
The bull of my host family after drinking water ran directly to the cowshed of
other cattle. I ran after it but was too late when I stand helpless witnessing
the bullfight. I called for my friends to come and help and it took us more
than five minutes to separate the bullfight. It was during that separation when
am dashed to the side of paddy land. Luckily I found myself unhurt by the
incidences but I found myself shivering as I was badly dashed by the bull. It
was the day of experiences as I realized and learnt the livelihood and
hardships of the family and villagers.
Therefore,
it is not only unforgettable but also an unprecedented day in the farm
attachment. I learnt the rural livelihood of villages and their hardships. Firewood and fodder collection of the day has
made me understand the challenges and hardships of rural people. Climbing up the mountain and dragging a log
has been the cause of my blisters. It was during that day which made me pictures
of the life of cow herder. The challenges in organizing the cattle have given
the instinct of difficulties faced by cow herders.
Labels: Reflections