Rajesh Tamang couldn’t stop smiling as he stood hip-deep in the muddy waters with sickle harvesting ripe pokkali stalks at Pizla, one of the 14 islands that make up the delightful Kadamakkudi panchayat.
The youth from Nepal had joined the Master of Social Work (MSW) course at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences last year but could hardly find a new place due to the pandemic.
“It is unlike anything I have experienced in Nepal. The workers engaged in harvesting were singing while enjoying their work. This is something I would love to take back home by telling my people how it is possible to enjoy hard work,” Rajesh said.
He was part of the 50-MSW and BSW students of Rajagiri College of Social Sciences who participated in the harvesting festival organized as part of the ongoing four-day Kadamakkudi village festival at Pijla on Thursday.
Most first-year students spent hours harvesting after being given tips from local experienced hands. Though completely different to them, well-dressed youth with extra clothes enjoyed it to the fullest after being dropped near a ripe paddy stalk on a boat.
“I have never seen so much water, coconut trees, greenery and so many hardworking people. Bobby Benny, a student from Delhi said, it was a very fun and wonderful experience, except standing in the muddy water.
His classmate Srishti Sharma was described as “beloved people”. Despite not knowing the language, she was seen trying to talk to the local people.
As impressed as they were by the experience, both the youngsters were sure that they could not repeat it back home. “Here, people are ready to engage in hard labor regardless of their status. We saw our teachers and even public representatives getting into dirty water, which is never going to happen to us here.
Apparently the youth, especially from out of state, were impressed by Hibi Eden, MP, giving them company during the harvest under the scorching sun. They would pose with sickles and sticks as their friends clicked away.
“We are planning to organize similar harvesting festivals to attract more youth and create awareness about farming. We have one of these students, who has never even visited the paddy field,” said Mary Shilpa, district agriculture officer.
Rajiv SP, assistant professor, Rajgiri College of Social Sciences, said the field trip was part of the immersive learning concept promoted by the institution.
“Combining social sensibility with work is an important aspect, and field trips like these help instill it in students. It also introduced them to better practices, in this case like Pokkali rice, which is a climate resistant version,” he said.
Suresh Babu, a seasoned agriculturist who was busy guiding the youth, was happy about a good yield this year, thanks to favorable conditions, which also included a timely monsoon. When shrimp farming begins between June and October, a timely monsoon is critical to clear the area of salinity for the sowing and harvesting cycle.
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