Day 11 - 12th Oct – Return Journey

Travel from Sarang hill to Goolikkadavu - Brunch in Coimbatore, heading back to Station, boarding the train, the team was relishing the moments that we enjoyed together.

Finally came the last day, we couldn't believe how so many days went so soon. After waking up early I packed my things and did quick check of the things that I packed.

The Team was also ready by then, we had a quick group photo and packed our things onto the Jeep. The only available means of transport from our hill. We started early so that we can catch the direct bus from Goolikkadavu to Coimbatore. We reached Goolikkadavu early, there in the tea shop heard about Phalin cyclone for the first time, comng back to terms to mandane life slowly. Got the straight bus to Coimbatore. It was warmer as reached towards Coimbatore, we had our Brunch (Breakfast cum

lunch) in a Hotel in Coimbatore. I was realise that I am coming back to mundane world. Though, it may appear childish I wish I had the time machine to start the whole trip again. But then my intellect consoled me that you can always come later, also the real objective of immersion is NOT to think that good things exist only in certain places, but to take back learning from that place and replicate the best thing in own small way.  

Day 10 - 11th October - Last Day kept for review and assessment

I woke the early morning, actually it was Ninan's plan to wake up early and the capture the day break in our cameras as this would be last day we would spending atsarang. But then he slept well and did not wake up, so myself and Janaki went up to the cliff to have some nice moments with mother nature. The place was not just scenic, but also an ideal one for meditation. After taking some nice photos, I sat down & recollected whatever learning I had from this trip, thought about life, all the vagariesit was just Janaki came with good shots, came back team was just ready for few shots that was left short film took those. Watch some more documentaries, a film made by Gautham Moorikkaalam. Had Lunch and we as a team sat down and discussed each and every day on what happened. After that we went back to well site, to fetch some good amount of water. I fell down very badly like a comedian. THis was the day in which our student offered to cook for all the members. Sundal, dinner, camp fire. 

Day 9 - 10 th October - Education and Sarang. Kongad Visit.

Travel thru Mannarkad, anthakshari, reaching Kongad, beautiful house, finger licking breakfast, discussion about Development and what the current edu system provides for us, later we just roamed around, spoke with few kids @ Sarang, Gautham and his team Vishnu, his sisters performing, Good lunch, small nap, Interview with GopalaKrishnan and Vijeyalakshmi Couple, swimming in the tank, temple visit. And journey back to Sarang, dinner in Mannarkad, tyre puncture. Travel back. 

Day 8 - 09th October 2013 - 3 climatic zone in just one day.

We set on a cruiser a long body 4x4, to cover the 3 climatic zone that can seen in around Attapadi. On our way we met Forest Check post in Mukkali where we got many useful info from there we headed towards and inside Silent Valley. There we could see clear and visible change in climate, it was raining all along, our vehicle cruised inside the cloud, it was a heavenly feeling. We had breakfast near a turing, tapioca, banana and upma came handy. We proceeded back, we were able to dryness the moment we

crossed the ridge line. We had our food in Agali town in a Hotel run by a widow women, an age old hotel. And then we divided ourselves into smaller team and 2 hours of time to cover some of the important places for our immersion. We( me, Vachana & Anupa) initially went to ITDP office, Integrated Tribal Development Project, PRI Block level Panchayat office, the place where we saw, students from IRMA who were also on a similar mission of meeting official in the Govt office, then we found that NREGA implementation office was also nearby, we hopped in, spoke to a office assistant as the people inchrage was unable. But the Assistant provided good info. From there we

planned to goto Govt College, but it was already evening time, and we thought it would not be prudent to meet students when they done for the day. So we then went to Political Party office. Communist Party is the most famous party all over Kerala. We happen to meet a Block Secretary, Vachana who can speak good Malayalam interview the person, I had my question translated and got answer. I was interested with their office building and peopleinside, so I began to click more pictures. 

And finally we came back to ITDP office since we could not meet anyone intitally as it was lunch time, we met Kandaswamy was Tribal Extension officer. Meeting with him was really fruitful also the scheme with which they act was also really interesting. One stop shop all tribal needs from Govt. But the work load lack of handful renumertion makes even the committed personal to become corrupt.

By this time, we exceeded our 2 hour time limit by good 30 to 40 mins, but then we were satisfied. All the team which went to diff offices were also satisfied with their venture. Now, Gautham along with one team picked us up near ITDP office and we inturn picked up the team that went to AHADS and proceeded eastwards. To a more dry region. Areas of Kottathara and beyond, places were which was once a forest, once a hill now had become a barren desertic place. While coming back, we had tea at the local tea shop, the same place

Day 7 - 08th October 2013 - Shooting and Sundakulam Ooru

From this day we woke up early, went to the cliff for shooting, each one was given specific duty, hence with mixed feeling of not knowing what to do and with exicitement we wemt to the top of the Hill to shoot. Had the nice time, seeing how shooting would be performed, we took it really seriously, just like any shooting spot, our place was also buzzing with people and activity. After a good shoot we came back. Had food a small nap and set out for Sundakulam a hamlet on the otherside of river siruvaani. School, Tea shop, hamlet, meeting with the old man, Kamala Teacher, bath at siruvaani, climb back the hill. And dinner. 

Day 6 - 07 Oct 13 - Energy conclusion & Scripting work

Gautham had come back from Palakkad late night, in the morning we had the conclusion of Energy. He said that we meant only fossil fuel or electricity, we are considering the power of food, human or animal power. Also, he gave a different dimension about Human power - not just physical but also psychological the power of mind.

After that he showed his Bakery cum kitchen which he is making with the help of Gujarati SHG. He explained how that owen was energy efficient and the process is completely eco-friendly. He then showed us about his brick making machine, how the clay bricks are strong and energy efficient as they are shadow dried bricks.

After a good food we went to hill top to see some climatic zones visible down the valley and also to a temple used by Irula on top of the clip. It was breath taking experience at some places, nature was at its best. Ninan was unwell at this time, but he managed to come to this place, we had Good snaps, on the way a farmer who had Cow, goat, hen, dogs mixed farming. A crop which was totally new to that place, but had invested almost most of the field.

We came back had lunch the second part was Communication and development, we Gautham emphasised the importance of communication to bring about developmental changes.

He compared the ads given by GOvt agencies and the those attractive ads given by the private Companies. He says Good things need good voice, and if creative minds join together we can bring abut the good change. He convinced the team, then we as a team divided ourselves into two teams to come up with ideas to make a 1 audio and 1 video clips.

I am happy from inside since the ideas put forth by me and team was taken we started the work of making short about Farmer suicide inked to mulching. That evening many of us were tired and did not got to take bath to river for whcih we have to climb down and up the mountain. Instead I used my time to work on travel related report. Discussion was very fantastic, this is what I call brain storming, Gautham and Anu did a good job of being moderators trying to include whatever good ideas that came from us, more than that,we had roles defined.

Samarpitha being a Mass Communication student became the Director, Assisted by Krishna

Ninan became the Director of Photography - DoP assisted by Poorva and Anupa

I became productive Executive cum Actor ( Smart Intelligent Farmer who saves Janaki the farmer who was about to commit suicide)

Day 5 - 06 Oct13 Sunday - Energy

This day we had a tight schedule to meet a person ( Binu Chettan) who is a consultant for Suzlon wind energy co- More on what he told about wind energy is here. After the interview, we were supposed to meet Dr Prabhudas. But due to death of 6 yr old boy that Doctor had to goto Investigate. Meanwhile we had a good lunch in a Hotel.

Gautham had to leave for Palakkad for some important work. After lunch we split ourselves into two teams to meet a Muslim Ayurvedic Dr and another team went to PHC. I was part of team which went to PHC. We met Dr Vijaya Kumar who was from Bangalore, who was kind enough to answer our questions on health and social issues in Attapadi.

We observed the NRC (Nutrition Rehabilitation Center) to help those suffering from malnutrition. We were sure that the system is in place, it is only the attitude of the people that make a BIG difference. After that we went to a hill - Kanvindikkal to observe a Wind mill. Gautham, who was supposed to goto Palakkad dropped us to the Windmill. After wind mill station we came back to Goolikadavu and then back to Siruvaani to take bath, we reached our cottage thru Jeep. We had good team meet for the first time to discuss and take stock of what happened and had a nice time looking at our photos. Slept little late. But this day was fully fruitful and fulfilling day.