Are we skilled enough for Earth?

Riya Prasannan
Nov 2 · 4 min read

Our generation is a very smart, very skilled and very celebrating bunch. We know everything from operating systems to the automated world. We are that smart! Indeed a very smart “techno” generation.

There is a saying which I am sure has its version in every language around the globe— “Never forget your roots”. The one which my grandmother used to repeatedly say was “However high you fly, you need to land on earth to receive your prize”. Yes whatever we do, wherever we are, whoever we are — at the end of the day we all are inhabitans of this earth like any other creature living on it .

Holding that thought let me ask, are we skilled enough to live on this planet? Do you think our generation can survive without the help of electricity, technology or smart machinery?

The sad and scary truth is “We cannot”.

We are so much comfortable inside the 4 walls, a roof, and a floor so that we forget our necessities of life. Our basic needs have turned to WhatsApp, a movie a month and our month-end salary. Our great grandparents’ generation knew how to store grains and what to cultivate in preparation of rainy season. They were equipped to handle anything that comes their way.

Most of us use cars — but we can’t fix one by ourselves if the engine fails. We walk and run for health but if we lose our way we can’t come back home without the help of Google Maps or any mode of transportation. We buy or cook food with readily available packaged grains, grams and vegetables. If the markets decide to shut down one day, we do not know how to make our greens and grains.

Don’t you think that is pathetic? Do you still think our generation is wiser or smarter than our grandparents’? Many of us can’t even catch a butterfly.

It is important to think and action this. It would be good to start at least now. And an effective start is to add this skill as a part of home schooling and school syllabuses. Add a training periodeveryday for the SKILLS REQUIRED to Survive on EARTH.

Stop buying tents for your child:

This would be a good start. Let your child learn to build a tent or mud house with what nature has to offer. Let them learn how to survive outside their air-conditioned apartments. Let them use sticks and mud to make walls and leaves for the roof and flooring of their mud hut. Let them learn that if all else fails, earth finds its way to provide food and shelter to its habitants.

Teach them ways to find their food:

Plan a family game where the task is to find food sources from nature. See what all each person finds and brings home. During Kerala floods, all the nearby supermarkets were closed. At that time many of the ladies in our village was planning their menu with what they could find from the vegetation behind their houses. They were not worried about food as they knew where to find it and how to live in such situations.

Prefer Nature trails and exploration over cartoons:

My husband and I recently were discussing some old cartoons. I realized that I am not aware of most of the cartoon characters, and you know what I felt — I felt happy. I am happy that I don’t know any of these characters. Because in my childhood — I had seen little bird’s nests and beautifully spotted eggs in it, I have held it my hands and have put it back to the nests.

I have started many of my primary school days with a visually satisfying view of varied colored birds on our guava tree. I still have that scene vivid before my eyes. I had a jar full of centipedes. I spent my days finding wild kittens hidden in the attic. I have spent 90% of my childhood exploring nature. I prefer that kind of life for kids. Close to nature and close to the earth.

Teach them directions and how to use a compass:

Tough to think in this age of Google Maps, can't agree more, however, we all should learn how to find directions using real maps and compasses. We all should know how to find our way if Google decides to quit. Our great grandfathers knew this well and they found their routes using stars, how cool is that? If they are here now, they would easily adapt to our lifestyle with a little help, but if we are put in their living conditions are we going to survive? Ayyoo!

Teach them to swim and sail:

These days we have beautiful and pricy kayaks to purchase in Decathalon stores and others’. There was a time when these weren’t available. There was a time when kids sailed on a bed of plantain stems tied together. They bravely stood on top of it and sailed on the water to pluck water lilies. Can our kids do it now? They can swim in swimming pools, but can’t dare to take a swim in natural ponds or streams. Correction: We wouldn’t dare to let them do it.

We are all safe and sound now, thanks to God. But if we are forced to go back to a scenario where we are completely depended on nature, let us train ourselves to endure such situation. Let the next generation respect and get close to this beautiful nature so that they will never feel like cutting a tree or harming a life.

Let them find beauty and much comfort in walking through the valleys, streams , forests, and mountains. The comfort of the cloud, sky, and breeze is wonderful but we shouldn’t forget where we are going to land.

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