The Tippu
express chugged its way past the plains which were once filled with luscious
green crops, but now lay parched. There was utter chaos inside the train
compartment; kids weeping, the chatter of people and to add the coffee/tea and
maddur vade sellers asking for business in an advertising voice. I had my earphones
on, so I was not bothered by these chaos, and outside awaited a bigger scene to
worry about. The outside view signified drought. It was clearly visible, which
the misery was upon. The once so healthy, standing tall sugarcane crops lay
bent out of thirst. Most of the crops were poorly developed, which any person
could find out by looking at it.
The train
sped away, with the wind hitting my face. For a moment I was lost, thinking
about the consequences and the outcome. I saw some cattle there, searching for
fresh grass, which was also deprived now. Some coconut trees also stood there
diseased and withered. The sight was a clear sign, representing the coming
hurdles for man, for meddling with Mother Nature. It was a gruesome
realization; a major problem was being shunned. Failed monsoons, imbalance in
the weather and seasons spelt of the lurking danger.
But someone
in the fields stood there undeterred, a Farmer. Still tilling his fields
adhered to make it verdant once again. A heartfelt feeling aroused, seeing his
plight and efforts. The sight was not abstruse. It was not only a farmer’s
problem, but one day the whole world might have to suffer. The sight of the
fields spoke a veracious fact; that the future may have to face some severe
outcomes from the present. This problem may be momentary, but it signifies
eventual destruction. The solution was rather simple, all it needed was to
realize and act to it.
Vagaries may
take place, far we cannot say how or when. Yes, nature was showing its
vengeance, or rather teaching us, humans a lesson for our wicked deeds
committed for our selfish reasons.
The music in
my earphones ended, and so did the sight of the fields. I had reached the outskirts of Bangalore by then and a . This view outside the window was
contradictory to the view I had enjoyed before. There was complete urbanization,
lots and lots of buildings, huge dumps of garbage was haphazardly strewn. The train
halted there for a while and the view was unbearable, while I could sense the
pollution in the air.
Zillions of
thoughts had whizzed past my mind in that three hour journey.Yes, they were
concerning. This was probably the first time that I had not got bored and
fallen asleep in a journey. Thus I reached the apotheosis of my thinking that
something needs to be done. Water is very scarce and it needs to be saved for
the betterment of the future. Everyone should contribute in saving the world,
for a better future ahead. The message needs to be spread and people need to be
enlightened about the crisis.
I was rather
reluctant and resentful upon taking this trip, but I don’t regret it now
because it sure taught me lessons..it was a happy journey indeed. :)
