Most people in our village who keep cows do so for an additional source of income. Our neighbour has seven cows and that is their second source of income. While listening to the family I realised that it was the love for cattle that led them to start their own cattle farming.
The cattle feed has become costlier. Many use open grounds as the pasture for their cattle.
The village scene is more vibrant now. We find cows and sheep in the open fields. The fields which used to be used for cultivating paddy have become grazing ground for cattle.
To me it speaks of ingenuity of the village folks. They do not surrender to the forces of nature. They find a way out, when they are cornered by harsh circumstances.
The rural folks might be poor but do not remain hungry or underfed.
This is one transformation that is happening in the rural landscape. People are happy to be self employed. Th unfortunate part of this is, many do not have access to adequate retirement benefits .
I wish Churches would have a scheme to provide retirement benefits for the people in the territory of their parsonage! One another service the Churches can offer is to support one or two community nurses who would visit senior citizens, chronically ill, terminally ill and co-ordinate with the hospital in caring for them in their homes.
Why is that Churches remain self absorbed! How much the Church is active during this COVID season! Should not the Churches seek volunteers to visit homes and stay connected with people in lonely times!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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