Thank you Miss for “Gifting Me Time”

 

My tough days in Navodaya School:

Like any student in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya School, I got admitted into the residential school (only CBSE School in Karaikal at that point of time). The routine was very difficult to practice during the initial months. Being an only child, to my family, though financially poor, they pampered my very much. My mother used to feed me, plait my hair, wash my clothes; I even used to wash my hands in the plate itself after every meal! Life was very difficult for me in my initial days and continued even to some months. To wake up at 5’ O Clock in the morning and stand in line for Roll Call was the most difficult task for me at that point of time. Then, completing each and every activity was hell for me. Plaiting and washing (shampooing) my long and thick hair was a herculean effort. Washing my clothes is another difficult task. Each day passed like an ERA.

Time-Keeper:

            One day, I had a sound sleep. So I did not hear the Roll Call Bell. Except me every one was standing in line. I was awakened by our English Miss, K. C. Prabhavathi (KCP Miss). I used to fear a lot in those years for her strict disciplining of the students. I was shocked to see her waking me, and another shock was that except me everyone else was standing in the Roll Call Line. With sleepy eyes, and guilty heart, I stood in the line. After the routine procedure was over, KCP Miss called me, I thought I am going to get punished heavily. My random guesses were Scolding or Writing “I will be punctual” for 100 times or informing parents about my irregularity etc. Yes, as I thought she punished me, but in a different way. That PUNISHMENT shaped my life. I thank KCP Miss, from my bottom of my heart for that punishment. She made me a Time-Keeper. That day onwards, It became my responsibility to wake everyone up and ensure all inmates of the Girls Dormitory are standing in Line for Roll Call sharply at 5’ O Clock.

            The next day I got up at 5’ O Clock to see all were standing in Roll Call Line, I found one or two inmates sleeping. I woke them up and made them stand in the Line. By that time, the time had exceeded by 5 to 10 minutes. Then I decided that, if I get up at 5’O Clock, I could not be punctual, so I should be half an hour earlier. Early rising of half n hour earlier could enable me comfortably finish the task. I started feeling good as I could complete the task punctually without any tension. I wanted to do the given task perfectly as the responsibility was vested on my shoulders. I continued to get up at 4.30 AM.

Time as Gift:

            Months rolled on; there was no need for me to be a Time-Keeper. But my Biological Clock was programmed in such a way that I get up at 4.30 AM. I used to finish my daily routines ahead of time, as there were no competitors to use the Lavatories or bathrooms at the early hours. I was the early bird to catch the worm. Years rolled on, I was in my 10 Class. I thought why not get up at 4.00 AM, so that I can read or write homework when everyone else is sleeping. It was difficult for few days, but as it was self-imposed and the result was pleasing, so decided to get up at 4.00 AM.

            Now, I have no homework to complete, preparation for board exams, still I get up at 4.00 AM. It gives me one hour of SILENT HOUR (for reading books, Words of God, to Travel Inside). I have made up my mind that I should Start and End my day with God. Then I go for a walk from 5.00 to 6.30 AM. After that I start my regular routine household chores as any other home-maker or a working woman. This ONE HOUR turned to be a GIFT for me from my beloved KCP Miss. Thank you miss for gifting me TIME, the Most Precious Gift one can ever give me.

My Journey to Car Nicobar - Part 2

 My Journey to Car Nicobar Continues...

 ROSS ISLAND:

    On our last few hours of our maiden ship journey, we could see an island with ruined brick building amidst thick forest. We could see few spotted deers running, peacocks busy feeding insects, and many birds chirping. Surprisingly, we could see no human settlement structures like house or any complete building, except the light house. Yes, it is an non-habituated Island. This was called Ross Island, which is now called as Subhash Chandra Bose Island. The island is full of historical ruins, which makes the Island a tourism destiny for many who are interested in History, Archaeology and nature.

Then we reached Port Blair, the capital of Andaman Nicobar Islands.

 Port Blair: Land of Values

After we landed at the harbor, we walked for few minutes to get a hired vehicle to reach Guest House, pre booked for us. Then to refresh we started unpacking leisurely. Later, maybe after 3 or 4 hours, one girl started crying, my suitcase is missing. Guest House staff said positively not to worry. There is no theft practice in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. No house has a lock here. Immediately our Sir, one boy and that girl reached harbour area, and found the suitcase untouched. All three returned happily.

The reason behind the Value system of the people is Nature supplies most of the people's need. People depend on nature and nature supplied their need (not Greed). I remember, a food outlet, it was like umbrellas like structures as roof and four chairs under each umbrella. Along with tea, we were served with green peas masala in a cup made up smoothened (shiny) coconut shells and coconut leaf pieces as spoons. I got a feel that I have entered into an alien land (abroad).

I remember, few teachers (my well wishers) told me, the islands will be full of tribal people, and the stay for two years would pull you back to a decade. Also the ship captain spoke with a similar note, had a dilemma going inside, have I made a wrong decision, a thin thought process was going on inside me. But incidents like the suitcase recovered from harbour area, guest house and its cleanliness and staff behaviour, the place we had snacks, all gave me encouragement for deciding to say YES for the migration.

 MINI INDIA:

One more point I felt super excited was, Port Blair was like a MINI INDIA – I could see people speak Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Punjabi and Bengali. Most of them were speaking in Hindi, but you were speaking in Tamil, one or the other there will come to speak you in Tamil. I, being born and brought up in an Urdu speaking family, I could easily understand and communicate. Language was not a barrier not only to me but for the entire team of migration students.

After independence, many government offices were established and to fill the job vacancies and to develop the islands, people from all over India were recruited. Those families were given accommodation and their children were given good education by constructing schools and colleges. Such establishment of government machineries gave employment and education to native people too. We could see many turban-worn Punjabis, Madisar Mamis, Bengali men in Kurtha with a dhoti. People from different cultures, speak different languages and have different faiths. Yet they live happily together. This strikes a close resemblance to our Indian community where we live peacefully in our diversity. Unity in Diversity is obvious in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with people of various states live in harmony.

From morning to evening we were having visiting few places, all we could see was dense forests, mountains / hill like, coconut trees, every building we visited had aesthetically designed plants and maintained greenery in their surroundings. The land was not disturbed much in the name of development. Though there were buildings, nature was not disturbed. Yes, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are naturally blessed with such an ecosystem, home to 96 wildlife sanctuaries, nine national parks and one biosphere reserve.

In the evening around 5.00 PM, we boarded another ship. This ship was half the size of the previous one and facility wise also less than half. It was an inter-island ship (local people call this as boat). MV Nicobar ship had different classes of seats like Bunk, second class cabin, first class cabin, deluxe cabin and each class had their own cafeteria and differences in facilities offered in the ship. This ship had no such discrimination. All had similar facilities, though it was not sophisticated as MV Nicobar, it was neat and clean. The food provided here were of a mix of North Indian and South Indian. ChapattiDal, followed with Rice, Sambar and vegetables. 

Hutbay Island:

The next day morning we reached an island called Hutbay. As it was an inter island ship, many people from Port Blair, got down at Hut Bay Island and few people boarded to travel till Car Nicobar. We had an opportunity to get down and go around the island for an hour or two, I don’t remember exactly. But the Greenery there and fresh flow of water like a fountain; people received us very happily and offered tender coconuts and Rasagulla in cups made with leaves (like Thonnai). Hope someone had told about us, to them, or they themselves were parents of some students who are studying in Car Nicobar or Port Blair Navodaya. After the given time we boarded back into the ship. Our ship travel continued.

 Ten Degree Channel:

We could see many palm plantations.  We also saw the Asia's second highest lighthouse beside the Ten Degree Channel. When ship crossed this Ten Degree Channel, we could feel the Thud due to ocean current. I remember, Mr. Hussain, our art sir of JNV Car Nicobar, used to encourage us, if any student feel low due to any reason, "You have crossed Ten Degree Channel, this is nothing to overcome. Have a Fresh Start."

            Ten Degree Channel is a channel (underground water current) that separates the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands from each other in the Bay of Bengal. It is most turbulent area of Andaman Sea, situated in the Bay of Bengal, 10 degrees north of equator. It is of tempestuous in nature. Almost all sea vessels feel the drag of the water turbulence.

            The next day morning, we reached Car Nicobar. Surprisingly, the ship did not reach the land or any harbor. The ship was anchored few kilometers away from the island. Little boats called Ferries (Wooden Planks bordered with safety protection, so as to prevent men and material from falling) reached near the ship. People from the ship were asked to carefully unload the things first and then people are requested to come down carefully using the strong rope stairs hung from the ship to the Ferry. First people unloaded vegetables, groceries, big bags. The bags were equally distributed and placed, as they used to do it regularly. We with much fear came down using the rope stairs and landed the Ferry. The Ferry took us to the land, Car Nicobar.

My Journey to Car Nicobar - Part 1

 

Prelude: 

 Let us have a time travel to the year 1991. Please remember those years where there were very few televisions were there in Karaikal. Our house had no television at that point of time, but school had one. DD National was the only channel available. The programmes we saw were very less.

First Luxury Bus Journey:

Sitting in the window side of the Thiruvalluvar Bus (The Luxury Bus of our days), crossing Karaikal, that too Northern side, it was my maiden journey. Going away from family or native place, was like I was travelling into a new world full of excitement. When the bus entered into Thindivanam bus stand, there was an Arun Ice cream parlor. I had never seen that before. All I knew was Ice Vandi, an ice cream vendor / hawker with a loud announcement - Iceuuuu, paal ice, semiya ice etc for 50 paise was a luxury. I was literally shocked to learn the ice cream with 4 or 5 colors (Casatta Slice) was Rs. 25. With heavy heart I gave him one of the two, One Hundred Rupee notes. It was the money my father gave me (hard earned and long saved money) supposed to be for six months till I reach home back for half yearly holidays. I never knew the pain of earning money or value of money those days. All I knew is a BIG portion of money is out of my hand. But for this ice cream I did not spend anything as all expenses were taken care of by school escort teachers.

We 4 girls and 8 boys are travelling from Karaikal to Car Nicobar on Migration during our 9th class. One Male and one female teacher were the escorts of the migration students from Karaikal to Car Nicobar, to stay there for a period of two years.

Mighty Madras:

We reached Madras (now Chennai) after a day long journey. It was my first visit to Madras. All we see in movies, of a villager looking as an extraordinary thing was true in my life too. It was literally breath-taking moments to see the buildings with greater heights (LIC building was the only tall building of those days). We stayed in a 3 or 4 floor lodge, near Harbour area. Our PT Sir (Anban Sir) was one of our escorts. When he pressed a button, the lift moved. I could not believe, we can move vertically. I thought we had entered into a magic world and PT Sir had the wand. Having travelled only in bus, not even seen a train, all things were giving me out of world experience and excitement.

Floating Heaven:

The next day we entered the ship, MV Nicobar. It was a brand new, fully air-conditioned Passenger ship. The ship was Gigantic, sophisticated, built in Poland. When we entered, it looked like another expensive hotel. But after few hours, ship started sailing, most of our friends were vomiting and started feeling drowsy. They were all sleeping till our ship journey ended at Port Blair. Only I among girls and Rajkumar among boys were awake through the entire journey. We got the food tokens, and we behaved like guards of our sleeping Beauties and Princes. As we both were roaming a lot, once got into the vision of The Captain. He asked about us. I proudly spoke about our school. He commented, usually Islanders go to Mainland to pursue education of better standard, but it’s reverse here. He gave us handful of chocolates to us as a token of appreciation for the Bold Decision.

Food Experience:

For lunch, we were given a token for full meals. As a part of the lunch, we also received a paper cup (Complementary dish, I guess!). I was wondering what to do with that paper cup. One crew member showed a machine and instructed me to place the cup before my favorite flavor. The word Pepsi, I had never heard or seen before. There were 6 flavors. I placed my cup before some flavor I don't remember. More than the liquid and its taste, the fact that, when the cup was placed on the machine, it gets automatically filled, surprising till its rim, but not overflowing, kept me astonished. I could not believe the magic. So I asked the crew person there, how I can get more cups. He said, the token for a cup of cool drink is Rs. 6. I paid Rs. 6 to get a cup, I placed it in another flavor. It also automatically fills it to brim but not over flowing. Again I could not not believe, ultimately I tried all the six flavors, the outcome is the same. Now I look back how childish I was, to accept or believe the latest technology which I never heard before.

All the three meals a day was a surprise for me. For dinner, we received vegetable fried rice one night and Vegetable noodles another night. Both Fried Rice and Noodles were very new dishes for me. I am hearing the names for the first time and taste was very much different than the regular food we were eating at home or school.

Exploring the Ship:

Life in ship would have become boring if I had not located the Library. The rule of the library was to deposit Rs. 100 and get two tokens; it was refundable before we leave the ship. I can take 2 books at a time. You know, I read The Tale of Two Cities and Sherlock Homes Stories. Both books were enough for me to keep in engaged, also the sofa and ambience was Luxurious with expensive furniture.

I roamed a lot, to keep myself away from unhygienic Bunk Class toilets and I was not comfortable in bunk class. Bunk class was the portion lies below the Plimsoll Line or Water line. The Plimsoll line is a reference mark located on a ship's hull that indicates the maximum depth to which the vessel may be safely immersed when loaded with cargo. So when I keep roaming in the Bunk area I could enjoy watching school of fishes through the glass windows. Once in our maiden ship journey, a shark accidentally struck and broke to thick glass. Kudos to the crew who gave alarm messages to stay away from that area. They explained the incident through speakers and kept us informed then and there. Immediately that area was taken into confinement and with hydraulic system that area was evacuated. In few hours the ship was brought back to normal condition. Though it was only few hours, it looked like our end of our life very soon felt Life saved.

There were different class of tickets – Bunk, located at the bottom of the ship (below water level) the least cost ones, a dormitory type stay place with common toilets and bathrooms. Cafeteria was different with a different menu. There was a Cinema Theatre with shops to buy cool drinks and snacks. The next level was second class cabin. The room had four beds (two lower and two upper) with an attached toilet and bath. Their cafeteria and menu were better than bunk class. The next level was Deluxe Cabin which had two beds (can be made as double bed), full furnished luxurious room with a television and a telephone. 

The ship also had a Hospital with qualifies doctors and nurses, enough first aid medicines and two beds for causality and two for patients under observation. Once, our classmate had breathing trouble. I was the one who stayed with her in the hospital area. The hospital was on par with any renowned multispecialty hospital.

The whole day, I kept exploring maximum features of the ship. The ship also had a helipad. One day some officials came and most of the sailors of the ship gathered to see a helicopter landing on the helipad, and many Men in White Uniform Marching and saluting the Officials. Though I had walked every nook and corner of the ship, as a small girl, I never knew the real meaning or value of the wonderful journey filled with unfathomable experiences, seeing a varieties of fishes, natural sceneries, climate, different lifestyles and much more till I saw the movie Titanic. Anyone can see Titanic as a movie screening a ship journey with a romantic couple onboard. For me each and every scene of the film reminds of my journey to Car Nicobar. For the benefit of readers to understand what bunk class is, its where Jack, the male protagonist travels. Deluxe Cabin is where Rose, the female protagonist travels.

After three days and two nights, we reached Port Blair, the Capital of Andaman Nicobar Islands.

 

.........to be continued.....

6. Education to a Girl Child

Kathir, a factory laborer, was blessed with a girl child. He was the happiest person in the world. The daughter filled each and every moment of his life. He decided to give the best of everything to his daughter. 

He understood that education is a powerful tool to transform lives. He ended as a labor in a factory just because of his lack of education. He had no parent to give him higher education. Of course, he received basic education from a school attached with an orphanage. He decided to equip his daughter with education, to the maximum possible by him. The journey of search for education started in him. 

As a first step, he thought, he should equip himself with minimum education. As he was the only bread winner, he could not join any formal course or offered to spend money on him. He started reading English Grammar, and started learning a lot of books from the Library. The Librarian saw the interest in him to study for himself and for his daughter. He encouraged him by giving the right book subsequently and asked him to practice writing to improve his handwriting and writing skills. Kathir did enough writing practice whenever he got time.

Being from a very remote village, where educating a boy was considered a big thing Kathir decided to educate his daughter. In his opinion, education is not restricted to learning to read and write. Apart from school education, he also he trained her daughter to ride cycle and went around the village and sometimes to the nearby town. He trained her to be independent. In those days, possession of a cycle was a luxury in that remote village. Both father and daughter were found cycling frequently. When the days of motor bikes came, Kathir made his daughter to ride motor bike. She was the first girl of the village to ride a motor bike. Those were the days when even men were afraid to ride. He admitted her in a convent school, 10 Kms away, the best school of those days.  The fees for her schooling took almost everything of his monthly income. She had to take a bus to reach the school. Sending a girl alone is in a bus, was something unique. Kathir was a pioneer in various fronts of parenting his daughter. Many villagers even commented Kathir about his way of grooming his daughter, saying girls should stay home and learn household chores and she should be a home maker.

Kathir was strong in his decision that he would like to groom her as Jawaharlal Nehru groomed his daughter. This was because he had started reading the book “Letters from a Father to His Daughter”. It is a collection of letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru to his daughter Indira Priyadarshini. The book had 30 letters sent in the summer of 1928 when Indira was 10 years old. The letters were education pieces on the subjects of natural and human history.

As Kathir wanted his daughter to speak in English, he introduced her to the Anglo-Indian family, living in that village. On the weekends, the girl spent time with that family. Though she was admitted in an English Medium school, and learnt to read and write, she was not confident enough to speak. Being with this Anglo-Indian family, she soon picked up spoken English and creative writing in English. She also learnt Chess and some board games like Scrabble.

Scrabble is a word game in which two to four players score points by placing tiles, each bearing a single letter, onto a game board divided into a 15×15 grid of squares. The tiles must form words that, in crossword fashion, read left to right in rows or downward in columns. By playing Scrabble the little girl, learnt many English words in a short time. This reflected in her school performance as well. She scored well not only in academics and also shined in extra-curricular activities, especially creative writing. The Librarian also was suggesting a series of books for her to read, most of them were in Reference section. She spent more time in the library than anywhere else. She was a voracious reader.

She happened to appear a National Talent Search Exam, she easily cleared it and got an opportunity to study in a school of Great standard of those days. She was also provided with free Boarding and Lodging. There too she excelled in her education, and creative writing and even was selected to represent in a National Student Exchange Programme. She completed her school education with flying colors. She got the District First seat in a reputed Institution to pursue her college education. Her research paper gained a National Award. Kathir and his daughter went to receive the award.

Now she is an Officer, well settled in her personal life and professional life. It’s time for her to Give Back to the Society. She is actively engaged in career guidance to poor children, helping the poor by all means possible by her. She strongly believes that Education is a powerful tool towards Development. Hence she works to provide education to many.   

P.S.: Photos Courtesy - Internet

5. Librarian - A key to the world of Knowledge

Sankar hails from a poor family, living in an interior village, where there was no bus facility. He studied from a school which was far away from his village for which he walked for an hour daily. He was good at studies. He wanted to study more. College was in the nearby town. Joining a college was like a Herculean task in terms of fees and transport cost. But he had the desire to achieve BIG and prove himself. His parents were against his education ideas. He being the eldest son, they expected him to join a job and earn. For Sankar, studying in a college was more lucrative than running after money. He would read from the wraps of the groceries. He no longer could hear the discouraging words of his parents and decided to leave to the town.

The next day he landed in the town with nothing in his hand. He accidentally met a hostel warden. He explained his condition and he was allowed to stay in the hostel. His ambition was to join a college. To meet his ends and save money for the fees, he started doing any job, big or small, in the evenings.  He got admitted in the college with the help of the warden. He successfully completed a degree and he prepared himself for the job search. He applied for any competitive examinations.  And he kept on studying and practicing with previous years question papers and many books available in the Library. For Sankar, Library appeared to be a heaven, as he loved books and reading than anything in the world.

He got an opportunity to apply for the job of a Librarian. He loved the job, as it was the dream job, where he can earn for makinge others read and he could read as well the whole day. As he was meritorious enough, he got the job as a Librarian to the village adjacent to his native village. He now became a pride of his family and the village. It’s true, he was the first to join a white collar job from that village.

Being from a rural background and had known how the reading could shape a person to a better personality, he encouraged youth and students to use the library. The library was newly introduced to the village. The villagers came to know about such a facility and decided to make use of it. He spoke to the rural youth and invited them to library and gave exposure about the employment news, and books to be referred / studied so as to equip to face the competitive world. He frequently conducted career guidance courses and also explained the token system of the library, with which they can take books home and read for 15 days and return them back to take new books home. This concept was very new to the villagers.

Few youth of the village got jobs with the guidance of Sankar. On hearing this, many people started coming to the library. Now-a-days, the library is jam-packed; the readers were here not for reading for fun, but to equip themselves. Even girls, who were not used to go out other than school, came to the library. The girls were too excited to read books, especially the voluminous, colorful books in the reference section.

Sankar would suggest the right book to the right person. There was a healthy competition to get the best book first. This reading habit resulted in higher scores in the Board exam results. All students of the village scored good marks and for the first time, there was no one failed in the Board Exams. With Sankar’s Career Guidance sessions, they joined courses in various Institutes of National Importance. The villagers were hearing about such institutes only through Sankar. He also had encouraged the students to prepare well for the competitive examinations for many jobs.

The villagers thanked him for transforming the village through exposing them to the world of Knowledge. This happened on the valedictory function organized by the villagers on the day of his transfer, after a period of three years of his service in the village. 

P.S: Photos Courtesy - Internet.

4. Facilitation Philanthropy

Krishna is a boy hailing from a fisherman community at coastal village in South India. He is studying in a school exclusively for poor children. He was one of the active students of his class. He excelled in education and every activity he does. He was sincere in his life. He used every resource wisely and loved his family very much.

His father was a fisherman and went to catch fish with his fellow fishermen from his village. There was an unexpected storm in the sea when this team was fishing. High waves rose very high than the boat and turned the boat upside down. Everyone in the boat was in the sea now, struggling to reach their boat. As it was night, they could not see anything and were struggling in the sea to survive. Few found the wooden debris of the broken boat and caught hold of it. Not all the teammates were successful in grabbing one. After two days of swimming only three of the team reached shore with the help of the rescue team from the coastal villages. Krishna’s father never reached home. This was a heavy blow to Krishna and his family. For his father was the only bread winner of the family. There was no other go for a decision by her mother either she should go out to sell fish at doorsteps or send Krishna to fishing along with the fishermen of his village. On seeing the fate of her husband, his mother decided, to send Krishna to school and she would sell fishes. 

Years rolled by, Krishna scored well and he was the topper of the school and at the District level. He was the topper in the IIT –JEE as well. To everyone’s surprise, Krishna was not happy or excited about it. For him the admission fee amount was much higher and could not afford to pay. Almost all of his classmates got admitted in various colleges of their choice. Some who had scored very less marks joined in a college nearby. Though he felt painful, he did not let his emotions out, for it would hurt his mother.

The news of Krishna not admitted in any of the colleges despite high score, for want of money for admission and fees thereafter for four years, reached Mala Miss, their class teacher. The news was very shocking and she did not want the bright student to end up going to boat for fishing. She took a bold decision of paying the admission fee with her one month salary and arranged some means to arrange for the monthly fee for the four years till he completes the course. She took Krishna to the college, as if he was his own son and did all the admission formalities, as Krishna’s mother, being illiterate, knew nothing about this.

As Krishna was sincere in his studies and aware of the family situation, he topped again at university level. Before the results were out, there was a campus interview by a Multi National Company, whose head office was at the United States of America. Obviously the MNC offered him an appointment order with a good salary package.


He joined the office and soon was selected as a team member to work at the US. He flew and received his first salary at a distant land. He wanted to thank his Mala miss on the first day of salary. So he sent the entire amount to  Mala miss, with a request to accept it and give a mentioned small portion of it to his mother, as she did not know any banking procedure and have the rest for creating a Trust for educating children who are in need. He promised to send a good sum of money every month, as it is his turn to GIVE BACK TO THE SOCIETY.  

P. S. : Photo Courtesy Internet.

3. Illuminating Lives

Lim Matte, is a little boy living in a small tribal village in Nagaland. Being a mountainous terrain, it gets dark soon. There was no electricity or any development facilities available in that village. He was fond of education. He loved going to school, the only school in the adjacent village, for which he had to walk a lot to reach it which was 20 kilometers away. But he used many shortcuts to reach the school as he walked into the dense forest.

Reading / learning was a pleasure to him. He was delighted as he could understand the meaning of each and every activity which happens in and around him. Be it movement of Sun, appearance of moon in different shapes, different types of trees, plants, fern and cute creatures – tiny to big animals, various colors of flowers and fruits.

People in the tribal village live according to the sun. They begin and close their day with the sun. When Lim woke up early, he had to wait for the sun to start his daily activities. All the activities in the village close by evening. No outdoor activities at night except for festivals or functions. Lim wanted to study at the night, as it was calm without any disturbances. But the family had only one small light which his mother uses to do all the household chores and blows off at night to save the little kerosene available for future. Most of the time, he gazes the sky watching the star studded sky. He was longing to have light at night hours for studying and doing his homework given by the teachers, which he have to finish super fast before the sun goes down.

Jacques, an environmentalist, from the Netherlands came to Nagaland and reached this village to explore the biodiversity prevailing in that village. As the man-made development s had not entered the tribal village, nature had its upper hand. Flora and fauna was so diverse. Jacques was excited to collect many species of both plants and insects, of which some were new to him and to the entire world. Lim was his local helper, who escorted to show different places. He often took him to places through less tread ways.

After a hectic day Jacques and Lim decided to halt. Soon Jacques built a tent with the help of Lim, using the canvas, ropes and nails and camping gears which he carried. Lim was seeing the Tent for the first time. He thought it is a foldable hut with a magic in it. He could see something which he could not believe – Light without Fire. For Lim, Sun, moon and fire are the only means of light. Yes, Jacques had set up a solar light to illuminate the tent. Jacques could do many works like making notes of the day’s work, typing something using his laptop, preserving the samples collected and much more before he went to sleep.

Jacques woke up only after the sun rays extended its warmth on him. He got up from his bed and was surprised to see Lim, at the corner of the tent, sleeping along the solar light with few books and notebooks around him and the fingers still holding the pen. He understood that Lim had completed all his homework overnight and started sleeping only in the early morning. Jacques stayed for a week and felt his mission accomplished. He had thought it would take a month or two. His collection became voluminous to carry home, as he had to walk a lot to reach to board into a bus or any means of transport. On his final day in the village, Jacques gifted Lim the solar light and taught how to recharge it during sunny hours and used it in the night.

With this solar light, Lim started studying had and excelled in education. He topped the school and got scholarships to complete higher education. Now, Lim Matte is a District Administration Officer. His first official assignment was to provide solar electrification to each household of his district. Over years he had seen how electricity department had dug many parts of his tribal area and damaged the biodiversity of his homeland. With the availability of solar light in each household, almost all children excelled in education, skills, and areas of interest. The standard of living of the tribal district greatly improved because of education.

P. S. : Photos courtesy Internet