The cashew tree started flowering in our garden in December. Now the flowering continues with fresh cashews appearing. By the time the tender ones become ripe fruits, it will be another three months. The cashew tree would been flowering and fruiting for six months during this season! It is unlike what happened in the former years where the flowering season has been confined to about three months.
I know of experiments that are being done to prolong the flowering and yielding season in cash crops. In our garden, it happened on its own. A possible reason is the climate change when the day temperature was higher than the usual in the winter months in this region.
I was wondering about the atmospheric pollution taking palace due to missile attacks and bombings in Iran, Israel, Middle East Ukraine and Russia, since war broke out in those regions for months. I wonder if rulers of these nations think about the adverse effects on the flora, fauna and human health! The chemical effects of the toxic products of warhead might not be immediate, but can be generational!
When I see photos of damages created to buildings and the neighbourhood, It creates shockwaves considering the extent of damage! The loss of human lives and those injured bring another disturbing outcome of war!
The territorial aggression starts with aggressive attitudes towards others. To live with an attitude of violence, aggression, invasion and destruction is not a natural human instinct. The usual human instinct is mindfulness and thoughtfulness.
We therefore live in a season when normal values of regard for others is on the decline!
The cashew fruit tree in our garden defies adverse weather conditions and flourish to bear fruits even more ! It turns an adversity to its advantage!
I have a message from a group of people who called out to remember people in war zones at a fixed time each day. The call to people in India is to remember people in war zones in our quiet prayer at 9 am each day for a minute or so! I understand that some peace activists had sponsored such a prayer vigil during the second world war. I am not sure if the current effort is linked to Quaker movement !
We need political leadership in our countries to have a tolerant, accommodative and dialogue based multilateral relationships.
When I listen to the debates in the Indian parliament, I come across angry, accusatory and intolerant engagements between the ruling party and the opposition parties! Why the debates have drooped to a low state of hateful conversations! I wonder, how a nation which regards Mahatma Gandhi as the father of the nation because of his non-violent approach to independence movement, can dip so slow to think and talk of each other unkindly and rudely in the parliament! Have we stopped being neighbours to each other!
To me, the cashew tree in our garden in extending its fruit bearing season, is sending out a message! The enduring spirit of resilience in harsh weather conditions!
Let the world leaders wake up to seeing an opportunity amidst hostile setting, a window for negotiating for peace! The United Nations passed a resolution a few days ago to disapprove Iran attacking Middle East countries! An anaemic response far too late of a half hearted commitment to peace!
I want to think that peace is our birth right! Any departure from that is against human wellness!
Let us, living in India join together at 9 am to remember people in war zones and pray for peace to return to human hearts and relationships!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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