Posts tagged Bhavani sagar Refugee camp
Travel,lives,experiences – II
Aug 19th
We started travel in bus to Erode first.On the way to erode we crossed many villages.I was looking at greenfrields passing outside pleasantly.Lavishly built Engineering colleges,Schools,Newly built temples told me the trends and richness of the region but When we reach a place ‘Namakiripettai”, i got high blood pressure.Its nothing but due to the Flex boards.believe it or not..every boards has 200ft height and same width erected by political parties and fan clubs.The whole board was full of heads with names and their designations.I felt its ridiculus.Totally there was 15 – 20 like that and small boards cannot be counted so easily.Im not againt publicity,Thats everyone’s rights,but there should be some limit.How much money they spend for this ? I was thinking all these exploitation all the way to erode.When we get down,nature called me,we were searching for the toilets.No signs about the toilet direction in the bus stand.All the wall of the building pasted with bills.All pillars looking horrible with bills and saafron colour.I think peoples spitted very consistently in every pillar.Finally i found the toilets,we we entered it,i suddenly got vomit sensing due to the smell,it was stinging like hell.Ran out of the place.Meanwhile Flex borads sparked in my mind..
We took bus to Bhavani sagar via Kobi chetti palayam and Sathiyamangalam towns.We reached bhavani sagar town after 5hours long journey.We received by a Arul,who is residing in the camp,The camp has more than 5000houses.All the houses built by the government with black Asbestos sheets.There was tiny lane as treets.No proper toilets and roads and the place not well maintained as well.
We met Some familes there.Most of the families fled to india after 1983 black july riots in srilanka,A massacre executed by majotiry sinhalese in Colombo and Tamil majority areas.Some families fled and settled here recently within a year due to the final war between Srilankan Government and LTTE.Different peoples,Different stories.Most of them are living here for the past 20years.Many children born here and now studying in schools and colleges.From that camp around 10 students are studying Engineering courses.We were felt proud and appreciate them.I personaly felt happy.That happiness didnt last for long..
They started telling stories…
All mouths uniformly said for the every question, Nationality.Yeah ofcourse their nation is sri lanka.Now they cant even think of their country.For their survival men and women go to Stone quarries for work.They get weekly Rs.500 wage for their 10hr work in a day.The man who we met said “Please see outside,you will see few hills are missing.We all have done that!”,Lots of pain in his words.I could feel, How pathetic it is being Homeless or Country less.
Travel,lives,experiences – I
Aug 17th
Friday evening,there was panic due to swine flu.Same time,my friend Saravanan reminded me about our travel plan.We started our bike ride 8.30pm from silk board junction.I was @pillion.When Saravanan drives my bike i always think this : why i become an agnostic.Why can’t i be a religious and made an agreement “Mr.God if i reach safely,i will give my hair”.We reached Hosur within half an hour despite of all the mess up happening in elevator highway construction works.
we took Royakkottai,Palakkod route to reach Dharmapuri.Its a pleasant route with less traffic.People who hav plan to visit [W:{Hogenakkal}], can use this route.After we crossed Royakkottai,Rain started.Stopped our vehicle Found a shelter in a brinjal wholesale market.Its a heavy rain.After few stops we reached his relative’s home before Dharmapuri.It was a nice village with farms.
When i entered the house,i found many innovative things there.Washbasin made with Plastic bucket.Wooden table legs connected with PVC pipe mounted with wheels.Modern type irrigation methods,Mechanical controls and Electrical sensors to switch on/off the motors,Home made Dish antenna to connect satellite television channels and i could found Speakers in middle of the field,later i got the clarified that plants grows healthy by listening music!!.I really surprised to see all these and i was very happy to hear that Organic farming is quite popular there.He cultivates Sugarcane,Turmeric,Coconut trees and other fruit trees.He farm Pigeons also.He is quite popular in their area and gave interviews to All India radio on Innovative farming.
Next day (Augest 15) early morning we drove to Rasipuram where saravanan’s hometown nearby.after 3hours drive we reached his place “Narasimman Kadu”.We reached at time before the village elementary school Flag hoisting ceremony start up.After the flag hoisting small kids started show their talents.Some said Rhymes,Some Sang nice folk songs,Some orate on Freedom struggle of India.From our Foundation(http://bavishya.ning.com) we gifted the uniforms to them.
After that i went his newly built home in between the agriculture fields with a hill backdrop.It was beautiful scenic location.I have taken rest in the whole day since i suffered from back pain.Same day evening we went to the nearby hills.”Palaniappar Temple” a murugan temple on the hills,after that we started walking into the jungle.We saw small group of people carrying things and walking behind us.After we started converse,we came to know that they are tribes living top of the Hills.They gave interesting informations to us.Peoples lives there dont die due to snake bites,They treat using herbals.Living in hills is easy for them rather living in valley.Whenever they come down to nearby town markets,they come by walk.Their stamina is unimaginable.I was not able to follow them.I felt uncomfortable.We both said bye to them and stopped near a small falls.There was less water.I drank it.Its tasty but nearby that there was plastic carrybags,beer bottles and other plastic wastes showed me how insensitive we are.Later i could see a lot of quotes written in white paint, “Jesus saves us”,”Jesus is the only god” on the rocks.Who has witten that and what purpose? No comments.
I personally feel we are exploiting forests and animals and tribes too.Everypart of the forest has the footprint of ugly human’s modernisation ideas.I had all these toughts when i return back from the hills.We were arguing about Mr.Gandhi,Swami viveganandha and Manu dharma for some reasons.
Next day(Sunday) we started travel to Visit Bhavani sagar Refuee Camp locates neat TamilNadu-Karnakata Border.
– more soon
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