WHAT AN IDEA SIR Ji

WHAT AN IDEA! SIR JI

The advertisement of Idea SIM card has a powerful message,” An idea can change lives”. That is true, productive ideas implemented with full zest can really make a difference to individual’s life and environment. Sir Ji is a colloquial word used in North India. It is ascribed to a person who is enterprising, resourceful, seminal, approachable, respected and above all a Realist. To know, who a realist is? I shall quote the words of Sydney J Harris,” A Pessimist sees only the tunnel, an Optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel, a Realist sees the tunnel and the light and the tunnel”. So, Sir Ji is a person prepared for all eventualities.

The youth of North East India is hardy, industrious and above suspicion but lacks direction. Youth is the period of early existence, growth and development. It is the time when the young people undergo cognitive, emotional, attitudinal changes and conflict within and also have desire of positive personality development. This is the time they need to be exposed to positive psychology to make them socially acceptable and noteworthy individuals. The same can be done by keeping them physically and mentally devoted to constructive ideas lest they go astray (happening now). There is need for Leaders, Parents and Teachers to make the children appreciate that Modernization is not wearing modern clothes but the modernization of mind. They need to shun the Burger and Mc culture for natural and decent way of life. It is for sure that our leaders, who can convince masses about a non issue, to be mandated to power, can also do the same for leading the youth to positive thinking. This is only possible by selfless leaders who become mass leaders.

One such idea is committing the youth to a job oriented, productive and path breaking activity. Organic co-operative farming which is labour and knowledge intensive but needs less capital is one . It is a holistic farming that excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and other additives but treat the crops and livestock as organism. This is not a new concept in India and is practiced in some form or the other in rain fed, tribal, mountains and hill areas of our country. It is estimated that North East India has approximately 18 million hectares of arable land that can be utilized for the purpose. Most of the land here has been virgin undisturbed by pesticides that are the cause of plethora of diseases today. This will facilitate engagement and employment of youth with different levels of education. Those highly educated can contribute to knowledge base and research while others along the different chain of activities. There is a need to come out of the mind set of “White collared jobs” and give pride to “Blue collar work”. Once the project is underway then it will have its own complement of White collar and Blue collar workers. Remember! There is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.

There are certain concerns about economics of this type of farming vis a vis conventional farming. These are regarding farm output, health benefits; cost benefits, eco balance etc. In fact in India standards of organic farming had been announced only in 2001 where as internationally it had started in eighties after International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) was formed in 1972.

A 22 year trial study by Cornell University has brought out that this type of farming produces the same corn and soybeans yields as conventional methods over long term averages but consumed less energy and contained no pesticides residue. In India, economics of organic cotton cultivation over a period of six years indicated that there is a reduction in cost of cultivation and increased gross and net returns compared to conventional cotton growing. As per study in US though the sale of organic food in the country is 1% but its increasing popularity is making conventional food industry worried. World market of organic food is approx 35-40 billion dollars today and is increasing annually at the rate of 20-25%. Conventional farming is capital intensive and requires more energy and manufactured inputs as compared to organic that requires less water, few and natural pesticides, prevents soil erosion, leaches(uses) dramatically fewer nitrates. Its products have improved nutrient qualities including double the quantity of flavinoids (an important antioxidant).

In rain fed agriculture and drought time organic farms produce more than the conventional farms. Children consuming organic foods are less prone to neuralgic diseases. Studies have also shown that people who work with pesticides have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It is estimated that approx 25 million agricultural workers in developing countries are suffering from pesticide poisoning.

Agricultural waste can be recycled to wealth. It can be converted to animal fodder in dairying business and animal dung reused for manure etc. It is conservatively estimated that approx 600-700 million tonnes agricultural waste is available in the country, but most of it is not used properly. There is need to convert this waste into wealth by converting this biomass into bio energy, nutrients to starved soil and fuel to farmers. India produces approx 1800 million tones (Mt) of animal dung every year. When converted to manure, this will produce approx 600(Mt) of manure (optimally rich in Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium).

The success story of Anand Milk United Limited (AMUL) is in front of us. As the author thinks organic cooperatives can be created at state level e.g. Nagaland Organic United Limited (NOUL), Manipur Organic United Limited (MOUL), Sikkim Organic United Limited (SOUL) etc. They should all be part of one central body North East Organic United Limited (NEOUL) that can monitor their activities. The central body can facilitate the forward and backward linkages of supplies and sales management. Envisaging the increasing demand of organic food both in developed and developing world this region can become a zealous hub of organic products along with gainful employment opportunities.

Positive ideas need to be handled gently, nurtured carefully, fed energetically and saved from the virus of negativity for a productively engaged society. Let us transform the perceptions of people, outside the region, to the fact that this region is progressive, bountiful and safe to visit and invest. Now a perception of a strayed youth possesses is.

Youth! Geoffery Sir! “Why are you telling us this? It is tedious, time consuming and difficult. We have a simple recipe for progressive (un), closed and safe (un) society. Here, we earn (in crores) with ease without much effort. We have enough funds for lavish life style (of our leaders abroad) and subsistence of our cadres. We travel by air, use latest vehicles and latest communication technology.”

Geoffery to youth, “please tell me the way you do it”.
Youth, “Listen! We tax the people (which they pay voluntarily in a reluctant manner). We send requests (diktats) for deposition of large sums to people of all types. We kidnap people to claim ransom. We presume people are with us (disregard public out cries). We request (threaten) Legislative and Executive machinery of the state for our gains. Why should we follow, what you say?”
Geoffery, “O Jessus! I pray that the eyes of their heart may be enlightened to enable then to listen to the voice of LORD that is powerful and majestic.

J Geoffery
(Readers can reach out to the writer
Via: email jaey_geoffery@yahoo.co.in)