Hugs From Clouds and Trees
Here is a romantic read, perfect for a rainy day with a cup of coffee in hand, written by Rucha Deshpande. Rucha writes about her life in Ijeirong and why she loves it so very much.
This article was originally posted here
The rain is hitting the tin roof of my wooden house real hard. It is music to my traffic-accustomed-city ears. I am sitting alone in my room on my single bed but I have the company of clouds. They have dropped in to say hello, just like the little moths that now decorate my curtains. I hear a faint chirp of some insect in the background; it makes for a beautiful ambient sound.
Just a few months ago, I was sitting in a glossy glass building in a big city, day dreaming about being in the mountains one day. I still have to pinch myself sometimes to believe that I am here now. Trees, clouds and hugs from either of these are now a routine and not just a two-day retreat activity.
Sunbird Trust, the organization I work with now, is operating in the remotest parts of Northeast India to educate and empower children and youth in the areas affected by insurgency. So currently, I am working from a very small, pretty village called Ijeirong in the hills of Manipur.
What everybody sees from my pictures and hears from my stories is the beauty of this village, simplistic living (that everybody in the city craves for!) and the super fascinating life that I am living. I am not denying any of this- this might be one of the most sightly places I’ve been to, where life is as simple as it gets and for us, the city folk, could deem as super fascinating.
What one cannot see, however, is what goes on behind the scenes. Ijeirong was electrified only a few years ago and till today we get electricity only once in a few days. Using electricity that we get from our solar panels super sparingly is just one thing that I’ve learnt here. I cannot afford to ‘forget’ to switch off any light. If I do, we don’t get electricity till the next evening till the solar panel is charged again (If the sun decides to show up, that too!).
Water is a humongous problem in Ijeirong. Water needs to be fetched from a pond which is a short hike away. Taking a bath at these ponds is the most popular way of bathing here- we are trying to fit in! 😀 If we don’t fetch water, we don’t consume water. It is literally as simple as that.
Cellular network is something I struggle with everyday. I haven’t been much in touch with anybody because I have no network here- this may sound like a dream but when you are in such a remote location, being in touch with ‘your people’ is essential. It gets lonely and there isn’t much you can do about it. It is hard to not be part of family discussions and not be aware of life updates from friends.
There are so many other things that I can write about but I am not going to indulge in it, you know why? Because I think this is every bit worth it.
The work that is being done by Sunbird Trust gives me all the strength and motivation that I need to lead a content life here. I believe in this cause so much that it takes away all my doubt, fatigue and insecurity.
Seeing a smile on a little girl’s face when you help her with the math puzzle that she was struggling with, genuinely enjoying the local food cooked by that aunt around the corner and witnessing her face light up with happiness when you tell her how much you enjoyed her food, greeting the old lady passing by in Inpui and watching her laugh at your accent.. it just nullifies everything that I ever did doubt.
Picture is not clicked by me 🙂 I borrowed it!
And how can I forget, the mountains, the trees, the clouds.. they engulf me with warmth and the kind of familiarity that brings me home.
Living here is not the easiest but it is the most special I have felt. The feeling of actually being on the battlefield and fighting this battle, being part of Sunbird Trust, to educate and empower the wondrous youth of Manipur is a feeling like no other.
