26-DEC-2010: Did you hear of a villager dying of hunger?

Post Date: 26-DEC-2010
From: Bangalore VVMVP Center

1. Have you heard of a villager dying of hunger in India?

2. How many people will come when you die?

This is a beautiful experience I wanted to share.

In one of the villages, we finished our Pada Yatra, met a few thousand people, gathered outside a temple under the moonlight, sang bhajans with the villagers and talked about the greatness of India, the villagers, the culture, our responsibility towards ourselves and our society, health, hygiene, etc. A village elder in his 70s or 80s said:

"Ayya maa voollo, aaakaliki yevvalu chaavaledu ayya" (Sir, in my village, nobody ever died of hunger).
"Ayya, andaru pattanaaliki veltunnaru, meelo yevaraina chani potey, yentamandi vastaru?" (Everybody is rushing to the cities. When you die, how many people will come?"

In our talks, we mentioned "India is progressing at a very fast pace and competing with USA and China....something like that". The same elder asked "are you sure we are progressing?" Something to ponder upon.

He said, "we care and share what little we have".

When someone died, almost the whole village would come together and offer support. Even today, a lot of people would still come though not the whole village. He then felt sad that "it is all changing, changing very fast". Please note, we do not discourage people from moving to cities or making money or going abroad for higher studies or money. Our focus is strengthening the cultural values, bringing prosperity, restoring family values and improving health.

This was a big eye opener for us. It is true. We hear of people dying of diseases, cyclones, old age but not because of hunger. Sharing is part of our culture. For example, cobbler used to get 2-3 bags of rice for the whole year from a family for taking care of the sandals of the entire family for the year it seems.

I have another interesting story of how beggars share in the cities. Will share another time :)

1. Can you share? Can you participate? Can you get involved?
2. Do you have 5 friends who will listen to you?
3. Can you please get 5 friends to become part of this growing group of angels who are committed to strengthening our society?

If yes:
1. Say what you want to in your own words but get 5 people to become part of our Google Group. Have them send an email to " backtotherootsproject+subscribe @ googlegroups . com ". With phone Name, phone number, city (in USA), village and district they belong to in India.
2. Donate generously so that we can continue our work, go deeper into the society and spread our wings. Tax deductible donations at: www.backtotherootsproject.org

Questions or comments: info @ backtotherootsproject . org or backtotherootsproject @ gmail . com

This is a growing group if educated people with Masters and Ph.Ds in USA. Everything is happening by word of mouth. We all know each other very well. This is a HUGE undertaking. We request every individual to participate and contribute financially. Our programs are causing a HUGE impact in our society. Together we can make a BIG difference. We can leave a better world for the future generations.
 
BACK TO THE ROOTS PROJECT is a rural development initiative, focused on maintaining the demographics, strengthening the socio-economic and cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh, restoring family values and promoting education in health and hygiene.