A
JOURNEY THROUGH WOODS – PATHWAY TO LIGHT:
With
least knowledge about what is really in store for us, we three trinities left
Campus (Ravi, Ganesh and Srini) and rode towards south of Nagpur to a place
called “Hemalkasa”. All that we knew was
that we had to travel for more than 350 kms one way and come back after a
night’s stay. My back was worrying me
much and I was not sure whether the Lumber-6 which is already prolapsed would
make me immobile again. I had regained
some of my original strength after three week of yogic exercises and this was
the only solace for my back.
2. Background
of our venture into woods: After a two hour enlightened morning session
with Dr Prakash Amte at Ashokvan and previous week’s visit to Anandvan, we had
a rough idea about the activities going on at Hemalkasa. The very founder of the legacy somewhere in
1973 was found to be extremely unassuming and clear in his idea about
“Community Service”. Imagine three
Magsay awards in a single family, something really unheard of !! We three proceeded further with lot of
discussion about our previous trekking experiences and issues relating to
Environment. I had the company of a
prolific nature lover / trekker Ravi Mehrotra (who has written a very beautiful
book personifying a tree’s feelings) as well as a deep thinker/writer Ganesh
from my own state. The lengthy programme
had few takers and I felt that something deep inside was pulling us towards
Hemalkasa.
3. The
place is fairly unknown and in the remote jungle at the Border of Chattisgarh
and Andhrapradesh. Even the Driver has
no clue as to where we are heading.
Frequent enquiries/verification of the route had to be done on the
way. After travelling for about 150 kms,
we literally stumbled upon rough road followed by dense reserve forest. We Crossed Ballarsha, Chandrapur and reached Alapally where the
real forest begins. It was so pleasant a
drive in the reserve forest that I was reminded of the stretch between Mysore
and Nagarhole/Bandipur Wild life sanctuary which I used to drive very fondly with my
family. Ganesh had some very interesting
anecdotes about his venture into wilderness and Ravi had immense energy to
describe his own pursuit with nature alongwith his nephews and son which kept
us ticking in an unknown arena.
4. After
a brief halt for snacks and tea, we reached THE place “Hemalkasa”. It was raining insistently and we had to
literally make our way into the “Lok Biradari Camp” to reach Guest house kept
ready for us by Sachin our Contact person.
He is a teacher in the Camp for the past 8 years and so dedicated to
work, be it teaching or attending visitors.
We rested for about half an hour and did not want to miss the natural
surroundings. Before getting dark, we
decided to venture out and go upto the triveni sangam (Indravathy and other two
majestic tributaries which later join Godavari in AP). To save time, we took the vehicle and went
towards Bhamargad which is supposed to be the hub of of naxalite activity.
Prafull (another volunteer who
got inspired by listening to a talk by Dr.Prakash Amte in Mumbai and joined the
Camp leaving his job and family) took us towards a very serene place where the
river flows with great speed on one side joining its counterpart which flows
very majestically. We could see some
tribals catching fish at a great distance and some boys enjoying the flow of
river on the other side.
5. We
were told that there is access upwards for about 18 kms afterwhich it is no
man’s land. The route is blocked and we
have no further access towards either AP/Chattisgarh. Instantaneously, Ravi expressed his desire to
go further and see the last possible point.
Very reluctantly, Prafull took us further only to be reminded about our
punctured tyre which was given for repair at Bhamragad. We drove further and the entire “Mahol” on
the street was very different. People
looking at us with great suspicition as well as curiosity. There were many refugee Bengali businessman
and the place was full of evening activity.
Our observer/thinker Ganesh immediately noticed a few policemen in the
chowk with AK47 type of guns.
After crossing the chowki and
travelling some distance we were prompted by Prafull to quickly take a U-turn
and head towards Camp. We noticed certain
unusual tone cautioning our quick reprieve and we had to abandon our plans. Still we did not want to run away so quickly
as it would create more susipicion.
Lowering the glasses, we spoke to a few native people who found to be
happy talking to us. We made ourselves
very clear that we have come to see the Camp and were only trying to see places
around. Satisfied with our answers and
query, we could safely come back upto the main street where the tyre is being
repaired. A big sigh of relief by Praful who later told us it is the hub of
activity and some encounters have happened in the very same place. Ravi could not forget the tribal man looking
police or the police looking like a tribal with a AK 47 rapped in cloth at the
chowk. We thus came back safely after
sipping tea in a near by jopdi hotel.
6. Back
in Camp, it was “hungry time” as we skipped lunch on the way to reach place
early. It was such a pleasant and tasty
food making way into the belly in full force making us rush back for a nice
sleep. The taste of Kadi was lingering
even in my dreams. We decided to get up early and venture into forest on our
own. At about 5.00 in the morning, I
could not resist myself and started walking across towards a nearby nala inside
jungle. Luckily, range was there to
receive a call from Ganesh who was also on his way alongwith Ravi. Three of of ventured into thick woods
crossing the river bed only to see some human settlements and natural ponds. As
we did not want to take the risk of antagonizing the tribal/village population,
quietly returned the same way through the flowing water towards Camp.
7. Surprises
have not ended. After nice breakfast, we
had a small informal talk with Digant and Aniket (Sons of Dr.Prakash
Amte). I also enjoyed playing with their
young sons who was very curious with my mobile pictures. Aniket took us into
the “Animal rescue Ark” behind residence where we were thrilled to see a fully
grown Peacock posing for camera. Next was a variety animals like civet cat,
monkeys, owls, magar mach babies, and alas a few poisonous snakes. Aniket had no hesitation in taking them into
his hands and explained how poisonous they are.
Gani was admiring its beauty from a distance and I tried to touch the
soft tissued reptile.
8. Next
came the real shock when he went inside the enclosure where a panther was
resting alongwith a younger partner. He
coolly went and patted the ferocious animal and we could not resist taking the
entire view into video mode. He had seen
them since they were brought as babies from the near jungles and had no fear or
hesitation in meeting like this !! After
feeding a few another animals including a Bhalu with roti and honey, he took
leave for daily chorus. We proceeded
towards the cricket and athletic track where children were enthusiastically
engaged. There are more than 650
children in the residential school. We could see a boy who was just flying with
great speed. Sachin was lamenting that
they are badly in need of a trainor as the boys are highly agile and strong only
needing a little confidence/technique to reach nationals. Several boys have reached upto state level
without any coach. We then went around
the hospital and Sachin explained the nature of patients and treatment
given. He also explained the ambitious
expansion project meant for building a multi discipline hospital for the
benefit of tribals being coming up.
9. To
quench our thirst for trekking, we took the help of two more volunteers and
headed towards the dense forest. We
crossed through the village which we saw in the morning and went upto the
middle of hill. We were told that it would take one day to reach the other side
!! We were also cautioned not to
venture deep as the mosquitoes would gift us with malaria. Not taking too much chances and also to take
rest for the long journey back to Nagpur, we descended from the jungle. After a refreshing bath and sumptuous lunch, we
headed towards NADT campus which we had totally forgotten for the last two
days. It is surprising that not even
once, we remembered or talked anything about our training schedule till we
reached outskirts of Nagpur.
10. We were totally mesmerized and dumbstruck
by the beauty of pristine pure jungle and also felt deeply sad about
exploitation of tribals/nature by the very same persons who depend on
forest. How beautiful this place must
have been, when Dr.Prakash Amte first went to serve Tribals in 1973 along with
newly wedded wife Dr.Mandakini. They did not know the language spoken by Madias
and Gonds, the primitive habitats of this place. These tribals were totally cut off from civilization
and never wore any dress nor saw any other human beings. If somebody dressed up appear, they would
simply disappear into the forest. Dr
Prakash and his wife had to win over their confidence before releasing them
from the clutches of “tantriks” who treated them. Interestingly, the second generation and third
generation of Baba Amte continues to serve Tribals by imparting education and
medical care. Both his sons are Doctors
who have shouldered the responsibility in continuing with the worthy cause of
their father and grand father. They all could have settled well with a roaring
practice and what made them to stick to a noble cause of serving tribals in this
remote place remained a BIG Question in our minds. Their off springs also study
in the very same school!!. What a family
and what a great commitment to the cause of serving the community.
May
such noble souls grow multi fold and inspire others in taking care of mother
Earth.
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