Built on
Solid Rock
This is not
Prudential, the World's largest insurer, but a friendly society, that literally
lives on rocks !
In the district of
Idukki, on the Ernakulam - Thodupuzha highway, a tiny community of around 50 to
70 families live tucked away in the rocky hills. These folks depend on rocks for a living - they break
rocks to pieces and sell them as building material. The rocks themselves provide
a foundation for the homes of the community.
The little community
is made up of Christians and Hindus. They are simple folk to whom distinctions
of creed mean nothing. Both Christian and Hindu festivals and occasions are
enthusiastically celebrated by everyone in the community.
It isn't easy to get
to the community. You would have to cross a couple of small streams and trek for
a bit through the hills before reaching them. The nearest hospital is nearly
10kms away. The community started receiving electricity supply only a year ago.
They have no water supply and depend on the rain and wells for their water. When
you live in such remote settings, you only have each other to depend on. And the
people of the community have learnt that lesson well. They stick together and
watch out for one another.
The children go to
school and their parents are determined to see that they receive a good education
and come up in life.
It is a hard way of
life -
but they make ends meet... and they are proud and
happy.
