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Troubled waters

Water as every body knows is the most important element that supports life. Yet it could be the most dangerous also. More than half the people in this world underestimate man’s liaison with nature. Especially in the cities where the people consider Nature to be somewhere in the countryside. Water has supported mankind through out the ages; it has also taken the life of many. Man has treated water so badly by taking it for granted.

It is very difficult to respect Nature if we don’t think about Nature. You can send people to the most beautiful place in the world and yet they would say there wasn’t any thing special about the place, for some others a single tree in the midst of skyscrapers would be enough to appreciate Nature, even when millions passed the tree even without noticing it. In Kerala people respect Nature in the remote areas.

Pullikunnu in Alleppey is one such place. Water forms an important part in the day to day lives of the people. Agriculture being the main occupation, the people rely on water for cultivation, transport, etc. Vishnu and Geetha are brother and sister. They live on an island amidst the mighty Punnumuda Kayal (lake). Floods are common occurrence here, whenever it rains. Since the land lies below sea level, the water rises to the point where it enters their house. Man has tried to adapt himself to the challenges put forth towards him by Nature.

Both Geetha and Vishnu who are expert swimmers from a very tender age are used to these floods and high waters. They use rafts made from tire tubes fastened on to a plank of wood to get around places. Their father Pramodan earns his livelihood by rowing boats containing goods, and their mother Sheela works in the nearby paddy field. Life is never easy for this family as they live in a house isolated from the rest of the places. They have to row the boat and get across to the mainland to buy anything from matches to vegetables.

Every year they have experienced floods. Heavy rainfall and reptiles have never left their doorstep. Seems to be a living nightmare for many people, but they call it their home. They are so adapted to life over here that they do not consider this a hard place to live. No matter how difficult it may seem to be, or how small or big, home is where people feel comfortable. Even after so many difficulties they give respect to Nature especially the water. It has enabled them to earn their lively hood, it has provided them with the food they require and they remain happy and content with their life.

Their dreams may be small but they are happy with the dreams they have. Such conditions have taught them to be tough, to face life as it comes. It has enabled them to be capable in carrying out their day-to-day life even under adverse conditions. And above all they have maintained they respect towards nature, which has been passed on to them by their forefathers.

Abraham Chandy

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