Then you think things cannot go any
worse - they do. The bores ran dry and agriculture
and employment ended. With no agriculture, people were depending on grazeing
one or two cows and getting the milk money. There was less and less grass for the
cows to graze on. Now there will be no water for the cows to drink.
Now the village bore has run dry. The village bore had water, and people were able to collect water for house needs at the street taps. Now people have to run to whichever distant field is being watered to bring home pots of water. Those who have cows also to provide for suffer the most.
Eashwaramma, living on pain killer injections and tablets, debilitated by a lifetime of malnutrition, and then a crippling attack of chikungunya, sole supporter of her two grandchildren, her sole asset being her cow. She will have to carry water from far away fields for her family and the cow.
The village is dry, drier and driest. Bores are rapidly drying up. As Konepalle Avva says, "If we keep sinking bores, and empty the Paatala Ganga, what else will happen".
Now the village bore has run dry. The village bore had water, and people were able to collect water for house needs at the street taps. Now people have to run to whichever distant field is being watered to bring home pots of water. Those who have cows also to provide for suffer the most.
Eashwaramma, living on pain killer injections and tablets, debilitated by a lifetime of malnutrition, and then a crippling attack of chikungunya, sole supporter of her two grandchildren, her sole asset being her cow. She will have to carry water from far away fields for her family and the cow.
The village is dry, drier and driest. Bores are rapidly drying up. As Konepalle Avva says, "If we keep sinking bores, and empty the Paatala Ganga, what else will happen".
But the positivity of the village people is
something we cannot fathom. Through times difficult or less difficult there will
be a cheerful, "I am well, how are you ? How is the doctor ? How is the
doctor's husband ?", and then the usual addendum, "does the doctor enquire
after me too ?" . And the doctor, when I report this to her, as usual
hastens to add - 'please tell her i also always enquire after her'.
Varalu "I am well. My children are well. The village children are saying that their appetite has improved, and their leg pains have decreased", referring to the milk with ashwagandhadhi that shes to the children daily.
Though they are running out of rice, and there is no employment on the horizon, they are able to give spontaneously to every mendicant calling 'Bhavati bhiksham dehi'.
Varalu "I am well. My children are well. The village children are saying that their appetite has improved, and their leg pains have decreased", referring to the milk with ashwagandhadhi that shes to the children daily.
Though they are running out of rice, and there is no employment on the horizon, they are able to give spontaneously to every mendicant calling 'Bhavati bhiksham dehi'.
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