Learning Getaway #1 — Itarsi & Hoshangabad
Following are my reflections from a 2 day learning journey.
Date: 17–19 May 2017
A. Sandeep Mehto — Bharat Calling (a social enterprise that helps people from small towns and villages make career choices and go to good colleges.) http://www.bharatcalling.in/
o An external person can be of help to facilitate reconnection and ease out tensions between family and co-workers.
o Need for a collective which — is in geo-proximity, supports sharing of learning, gives back more energy than invested (most conference/workshop collectives end up being places where a few invest much energy and contribution from rest is missing), orgs younger than 5–7 years
o Sandeep has a skill of continuous curious observation and appreciation.
o Many memorial lectures are happening (one was happening in itarsi) but aren’t able to connect with youth.
o Youth needs spaces to open, express and connect, and it will join any group which provides that. Many young people interested in progressive ideas end up joining rightist groups when progressive groups are absent. The appeal of group seems bigger than ideas.
o If one is mature beyond their age, it might begin a gap with one’s own generation. How does one keep bridging that?
o Beyond a point networking doesn’t help in one’s quests and work, only a clarity of thought process, ideas and stability starts attracting people. My dad joined social media only 2 years ago and with his clarity of ideas, many people participate and interact with him. I have been on social media for now 7 years, I don’t have that kind of interaction with my network.
o Infusing an apt terminology can empower people/orgs to move on certain path of growth. Though it is not about keep circulating new terminologies like old wine in new bottle.
B. Raju Titus — a natural farmer from Hoshangabad, believes in seed balling the world, who is able to makes revenue selling wood from his farm and creating a food forest. http://rishikheti.blogspot.in/
he explains difference between tilled and non tilled soil- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSJdyQ_Yymk
o “Don’t treat your off-the-beaten-path life decisions as an experiment, take them as worthy quests and give your full attention”, Raju Ji tells me, when I describe my current life choices as experiments for a few years.
o “Don’t try to farm, but learn from the forest. Forest flourishes without tilling, irrigation, and excessive technology”
o “Seed ball whatever space you can find. Make seedballs throughout the year.”
o I see many farming philosophies — natural farming, organic farming, agroforestry, chemical farming, and permaculture. There are many overlaps amongst their principles and techniques. Each has its own proponents and evangelists. In my observations 2 criteria are important for choosing between them — 1) land condition 2) how much money you want to make from that land? 3) how much time the land owner spends on land?
o Sometimes people in alternatives are concerned about creating career/life paths for their grandchildren, which beyond a point is similar to earning money for your great grandchildren.
If you wish to join me on my next learning journey, email at madhuranand@live.in
