MAKARA SANKARANTI – PONGAL, LOHRI etc-at.Uttarayan
PROLOGUE
Pongal -aka Sankaranti is the most
celebrated festival in South states of India viz. Tamilnadu, Andhra and
Karnataka -possibly more that the rest of India-
4 days are in fact reserved for
this and many ask WHY?
OK, briefly :
We
start each calender year on the date of
Makara Sankaranti when the Sun starts the northwards travel and the northern
hemisphere starts to once again get more sunlight for 6 months -hence
dedicated to Surya Devata . The rainy season is over and in a
predominantly Agrarian society the Farmer -agriculture, cows and bulls and our
traditional systems is gratefully acknowledged-
NOTE: Remember, this is not restricted to a Harvest
festival only as some may think. Whilst
indeed the Farmer and crops, cattle and nature itself are all most honoured as
they rightfully deserve, there is greater significance.
Uttaraayan
is regarded as a special time and auspicious period to start sadhana, going onto the path of Shreyas, Also
for starting new ventures and the collective spirit of human welfare in
Pancha Maha Yajna Spirit.The 4 days cover;
v
Bhogi
the day before Pongal is for Maha Visarjana Kriya….i.e. declutter, shedding of bad habits –i.e. manas
shuddhi – vasana naashaya.
v
1st
Day On Sankaranti ( Pongal) is for Deva Yajna/ Rishi Yajna i.e. Religious observances and thanksgiving of all
to the farmers for agricultural wealth.
Pongal in
a pot overflowing symbolises Poornatwam of Mother
Annapoorna. Haldi (manjal)-Turmeric has a medicinal value and is a
purifing herb
and so the
pongal pot is wrapped with thses leaves
also.
v Annadan-Food
is distributed esp as in Manushya (Elders) and in Athithi (Guest) Yajna
with sharing in the spirit of Jana Kalyan / Lok Sangraha.-Collective Welfare.In fact food
is cooked in the open spaces and distributed to
all.
v
2nd
nd Day is dedicated for Go-mata –the Cow and the Bulls that help in ploughing
fields. The Go Mata is the symbol of the holy Mother.
Refer 5 Gs : Guru -
Gayatri –Girija – Gita and - Gomata ( of Guru prabhavalli)
v 3rd Day for respecting and appreciating Environment
& Nature inc all creatures in Bhoot Yajna.
The Farm scene and
understanding & learning about our farmers.
Introduction:
Appreciating
the Farmer and agriculture.
In
school during the mid 50s, we had an excellent text book on geography
titled--
"Living
&Earning a Living " - by E.V.Staynor,which taught us so much about our
country, agriculture and industry and its living
conditions.
It gave a
vivid explanation of our people, work and life in India so well,.
As
young students, we learnt early that Living was really about working for basic
needs in several domains and the primary needs of Food & Shelter and
essentials came first. This was realised
-not
frills and luxuries alone as is seen today in many urban sections.Some times
affluence can alter all perspective and create mistaken notions towards work and
life. Food
today is expensive and takes away about half our earning at any strata in India.
In
recent past we have seen
even simple veggies cost so much-eg the humble item of Onion prices skyrocket
and with much controversy satire and even wit, showing the commons man's
tolerance.....
So, how
does the Agri scene really work in India?
Let us first acknowledge that:
"The Food Supply management is a Challenge for all from the farmer to
the housewife at home".
What
is infuriating is the middle men and cartels (and add in wastage) who wreck the
system and take out the profits leaving the Farmers high and dry.
Despite
Droughts and Floods and all the vagaries, crops are
harvested---We
some how get our Food grains & Vegetables in our Markets and in our homes
daily.
This
post and series looks at Farming and the agri sector by studying the simple
approaches of Faith in Villagers to Agriculture, I
have spent years working in and seeing the handling of Food Grain, loading on
ships --then after 1975 in inspecting imports under PL 480 with FCI ,Food Aid
World Food Programe etc. Later in some exports inc of Rice, Onions and overall
in Agri Commodity Inspection like Raw sugar Maize , Wheat etc.--with Lab support
.
WE
have been working with a series of food managers like FCI, CARE, WFP in PDS
schemes etc.
Then
in the 2000
era Private Dealers & MNCs entered eg NCDEX.
Prices
have spiralled with profiteering, hoarding and storage wastage, inc rodents and
infestation. Today
on the Food and agri scene would in one word would sum it up thus:
Crop Sales from Harvest is till date a serious problem for the farmer who toils and in the end gets a very small share and most often remains in debts life long to middle men and dealers who pay a very small fraction and sell at profits.
What
is even more infuriating is the transition from middle men to cartels and even some Bulk purchase corporates who wreck the
system and take out the profits leaving the Farmers high and dry.
Today about 47% of India is agri and forest sector-some of which is non
productive due to the complete lack of basics-even seeds, fertiliser and tools-
but somehow farmers are managing. In
fact we
stagnate at the level portrayed in the1950s film "Mother India" depicting the pathetic struggles of our village scenes
in many places still --even today viz.
Farmers
are poor -remain poor and in debt- eke out a living and are at the mercy of
middle men and cartels. Many have committed suicide-yet work, some how
continue.
Despite
Droughts and Floods and all the vagaries, crops are
harvested---We
some how get our Food grains & Vegetables in our Markets and in our homes
daily.
From
Agriculture Reports: the following was introduced in late 80s and paved the way
for a Green Revolution, but now sees setbacks in some
places.
In the 70s & 80s there was considerable improvement
QUOTE"
The services enhanced by the Green
Revolution in the agriculture sector of Indian economy were:
- Acquiring more area for cultivation purposes
- Expanding irrigation facilities
- Use of improved and advanced high-yielding variety of seeds
- Implementing better techniques that emerged from agriculture research
- Water management
- Plan protection activities through prudent use of fertilizers, pesticides, and cropping applications.
Unquote
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
However on the 2000 it all slumped as seen below of 2014.
Foodgrains production may fall short of target
From the Hindu
Production is likely to be 207.29-lakh tonnes against the target of 224.96-lakh tonnes
Foodgrains production in the State is likely to fall
short of the target by about 18-lakh tonnes in 2013-14. The shortfall is
being attributed to damage of standing crops due to cyclones in the
coastal districts and because of excessive rains in other areas.
The
shortfall is mainly contributed by drop in the production of paddy
(rice) by 10.5-lakh tonnes and that of pulses by 5.02-lakh tonnes.
The
production of cotton cultivated in over 24-lakh hectares, a record,
oilseeds and sugarcane have also been estimated to be much below the
targets set by the State Government.
According to
Director of Economics and Statistics D. Dakshinamurthy, foodgrains
production is likely to be 207.29-lakh tonnes against the target of
224.96-lakh tonnes, an 8 per cent dip in the expected output. Similarly,
the production of pulses has been put below expectation at 12.74-lakh
tonnes against 17.76-lakh tonnes.
The production of
foodgrains has suffered due to low productivity (yield) caused by
unfavourable weather conditions during the crucial stages of crops,
though the extent of crops’ cultivation has matched or exceeded the
targets fixed by the government. Paddy has been cultivated in 43.95-lakh
hectares against the target of 44-lakh hectares but the yield is
3,115-kg per hectare against expectation of 3,350-kg.
However,
cultivation of pulses has fallen short of target by over 5-lakh
hectares as the sowings were badly hit badly with untimely and excessive
rains. As a result, they were sown only in 16.42-lakh hectares against
the target of 21.85-lakh hectares.
Excessive rains
have also dashed the hopes of cotton farmers who were expecting bumper
production this year. Against the estimated 78-lakh bales production,
only 52.35-lakh bales production is being expected now.
In
contrast, cultivation of oilseed suffered badly due to scanty rainfall
in Anantapur district where groundnut is the major crop. Groundnut
covers about 80 per cent of oilseed cultivation in the State. Against
the target of 23.86-lakh hectares, oilseed were sown in 19.49-lakh
hectares. Production has been affected in greater proportion due to low
yields.
SUMMARISING
Can we usher in some sensitivity & support
?
Our readers
opinions are welcome.
rgds,
TR
