Existential challenges

Anna and I have a pleasant drive each day in the morning and evening, through the quiet country side on our way and back from the hospital. The fifteen kilometre drive which takes about twenty-five minutes is refreshing and tells us a lot about life in a rural setting. 

The rubber plantations have replaced the rice fields which used to be on either side of the roads. Ever since there was scarcity of labour force and daily wage for labourers had climbed up, many resorted to rubber plantation. The rubber trees have normally about thirty years of life and most of the plantations in this region are first generations rubber trees. 

Now the planters have another challenge to face: even tappers are not freely available. About thirty percent of rubber plantations do not produce rubber as tappers are expensive to employ or are scared.

The farm where Anna and I live have tall coconut trees and a climber would need to be paid a fee larger than what the few coconuts would yield when sold. 

None of these existential challenges diminish the serenity and aesthetics of the environment we live. To live close to nature with acres of greenery all around, with no challenges of pollution or congestion is indeed a privilege. We drive each day, seeing only few vehicles on the road. There are no cycles as most people ride on two wheelers. The ‘corner shops’ where people used to gather to sip tea and read morning news paper look deserted. The grocery shops are getting displaced by departmental stores. There is palpable change due to urban influence, which is attracting city dwellers to move to the country side to live and drive to the towns to work.   

Anna and I close this year with gratitude for having been in this environment, where we live among others who are struggling to find their identity. The younger generation is desperate to look and appear modern. They set aside family based value system. Yesterday a lady from our neighbourhood got married and informed her parents about it  on phone, after the wedding.

We are getting familiar with people and situations which we hope would help us to find friends and companions. It is now fifteen months since we have been here. We are strangers and pilgrims in this place. In one sense it is true of many of us. But we can rejoice in knowing that God is our anchor.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)