Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to go an Indian village where one of our teachers lives. Village, a term often used by our staff when they are going back “home” for the weekend.
The reason for the visit was to visit one of our teachers, Padmavathi who had a baby girl last month and is on maternity leave until the end of February.
Padmavathi! Her smile is a day brightener for sure and just one of many awesome qualities that makes her Jarrett and I's Indian mother
She refers to Jarrett and I as her sons and insisted that we come to her village meet “our” new sister. During the weekend, Padmavathi’s husband, Bhushan, referred to me as his brother and Padmavathi’s father, Nana (sp?) referred to me as his son, as Indians are very warm and welcoming to make us a member of their family. We all laughed when we realized that my role in the family now had multiple titles! We settled with the original title which I think makes Jarrett, Scott and Kristen Mulhern and I all siblings…yes! Due to some prior engagements, Jarrett stayed back in Hyderabad, while I braved the Indian countryside and 9 hour bus rides to the village. I am pleased I went as this weekend in the village is probably one of my top highlights during my time here India. More on Padmavathi and her family later…
The village is located near the the town of Kodur, in the south of AP, near Tirupati, famous for the elaborate and ornate Tirumala Temple, a common pilgrimage site for Hindus all around India.
The Village
Yes, indeed it was a village in all senses of the word. Driving to the village, you learn as you pass hectares of mango, papaya, and banana trees that villages, survive and thrive on subsistence farming. When I arrived, my senses were overwhelmed! There was so much to take in: livestock sharing practically the same living space as their owner, animals AND people relieving themselves alongside the road, babies crying, people bathing, washing dishes, fires cooking curries, dosas and chai, and men and women headed out to the fields with archaic wagons, plows and shovels and various other vessels. And this was all before 8 in the morning!
Padmavathi's parents house
When I arrived I was greeted by Padmavathi’s family and neighbors and even their livestock which consisted of mules, cows and chickens. Over the course of my time there, I was reminded that these animals play an integral part in a family’s life. For the most part, villages in India sustain themselves on subsistence agricultural practices and this is how Padmavathi’s parents have provided for their family, put food on the table and sent their kids to school (talking later with Padmavathi’s father, he has put all of his 5 children through college, 2 of which are still in school, one for computer science and the other his MBA. He has taken many loans out to do so).
Padmavathi's parents
Padmavathi’s father has invested his whole life for the betterment of his children because its all he has. Hearing this and working for an NGO that specializes in education leaves you to consider just how great we have it in the states and how much we take for granted. Education in India is the means to rise above the poverty line and adequately provide for your family.
As I mentioned earlier, the economies of villages in India are driven by subsistence farming and that was exactly my entertainment for the weekend. Over the course of the weekend, I was able to tour both Padmavathi’s family farm which consisted of over 5 acres of banana (so many!!), mangoes, coconuts and tamarind trees, turmeric, chillies, etc and Bhushan’s family farm consisting of mostly mango trees. Venkatesh, Padmavathi’s brother said that their bananas are shipped to all over India including Delhi and Bangalore!
A tower of bananas
I asked him what the market rate is for a tower of bananas and said they typically go for 65INR (about $1.50) to 135INR( about $3). I laughed inside because Jarrett and I pay 25-30 INR/dozen (Note: white man tax inherent). How does a family that lives off what they produce, live and furthermore send their kids to college? Simply. It provokes the question: What is necessary for my life and what is frivolous?
Working Bhushan's new mango tree fields!
Bhushan and his mother
mmm! Bananas!
Venkatesh and Bhaskar
Nana and Metu in the banana fields!
Now back to Padmavathi and her family…
Padmavathi is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. She has such a beautiful personality and a certain way of just brightening your day. It is no wonder that Kristen Mulhern (previous volunteer) grew so close to her because they both tend to have the same effect on you. As I said, she calls Jarrett and I her sons and likewise our mom. I think this dynamic came about from the countless meals brought to school for breakfast, sweets and many dosas (still haven’t beat Mulhern’s record – 8). It was such a joyous time being able share many meals with her and her family over the weekend and getting to better know her husband Bhushan and his family as well. I was so well received, loved and cared for. Indian hospitality will never cease to amaze me. It will challenge me when I come back to the states with how I receive, love and extend hospitality to people and learning to not be selfish with what I have been given and how I can bless people with just that… Padmavathi told me that I was the first white person her parents had ever seen, pretty crazy to think about and that is the reality of the world we live in.
Now for some more pictures from the weekend…
Bhushan's parents
The family without Bhusan
Padmavathi's Family
The Grandmas!
Father and daughter
Idli and Wada
"Honey"
Good Weekend!
