Farmers and fishermen share some common concerns

                   

A calamity is a wild experience. The gravity and severity of a disaster are beyond pictures and words. Every such incident is a combination of bittersweet and dangerous memories. It affects people in a contrasting fashion. For some people, the memories of the 2018 Kerala floods associate with the helping nature of Malayalis. There have been several conversations where people praised the courage and character shown by our people. The conversation stops with the usual exclaimer that 'Malayali helping mentality has changed' and people continue to take advantage against each other.

However, testing times demand endurance from people. So, looking in perspective, it is a positive memory of our fighting spirit. But there lies an irony. The helping aspect is only one part of an incident which we prioritized over other events. There were terrible loss of lives, loss of property etc. But the Malayali psyche was in the spotlight in our memory. The reason could be that it is a collective symbol of those helpless days. It potentially displayed the binding spirit against the calamity. 

Our memories are a reflection of a set of privileges. Think of people who enjoy the sight of an evening rain with a cup of coffee. The rain would appear beautiful because they have not lost anything in it. They can keep enjoying up until floodwater reaches their doorsteps. I find it ironic when the rain is pleasant from a long distance and looks frightening when it comes to the gate. It makes me feel that people perceive things lightly as long as they are not a threat to our living. Perhaps, things change a bit dramatic when we are at the receiving end. 

We are in the middle of a pandemic where humanity is in danger.  The psychology of this virus is frightening. The weaker we appear, the deadlier it would be in its outlook and its effect.

When there is no respite from the pandemic, another trouble came in the form of rains. It was devastating. Being close to sea and water, you witness chaotic situations every moment. The sound of the waves that appear musical and infuse poetic energy can also change its tune in no time. Its aftereffects are at times indescribable. People who had a home till last day are homeless now. Parents who waved goodbyes to children are now a memory. Every human is a survivor.

Coastal lands are vulnerable and coastal livings are unprotected. Many of the coastal walls build at huge costs are less effective against the mighty tides. The long and ingenious solution called tree boundaries is not resistant against the speed of the roaring waves. A change in understanding towards coastal security is the need of the hour. But who are we to tell, after all? We relish the taste of the sea fish but bother less about the lives of the fishermen. In India, what happens during an incident are pieces of history but not cautious reminders. 

Fisherman and farmers are tagged as unguarded professions. They live a life of risk and exposed to natural calamities. But they have no other choice. The life of our farmers is quite similar to fisherman. They spend countless days in the field under the scorching sun, that too with fewer rewards. Farming is not a profitable job in our native area. The yearly income is not in sync with the amount of work that happens behind a harvest. The risk of rains is also there. But what hurts most is that they have to wait so long for the arrival of the lorries to collect their yearly produce. It may take days, if not weeks. Imagine the scenario. A farmer has completed the harvest. But he/she is still at risk of rains. Are we taking the farmers for granted? How many of us wait till the next day if there is no food to eat? 

The story of farmers doesn't end there. Their numberless rushes to government offices and Krishi Bhavan for pensions is another period of waiting. So will be the fight with mill owners for money. If agriculture is part of our culture, oppression is an inseparable part of our living. There is not much scope for a brighter tomorrow. The story has been the same for many decades.

It may continue the same way for centuries. Will there be a time when we completely give up agriculture and fishing? I doubt so, but time will tell.