Being One With The Farmers #SaathHaiHum with Finolex Pipes

In India, majority of our population is into agriculture and farming and for them this isn’t just like any other profession. They treat this as bringing up their own baby, like it is their own flesh and blood. And yet, we hear so many times about the farmer suicides and tons of problems related to basic facilities and making technology accessible to them. I speak about farmers and agriculture with all my heart because my grandfather owned farms and lands and as a kid, during my crucial growing up years I had learned for myself by seeing my grandfather how important and critical taking care of the land, the seeds you sow and the entire process till the crop or the fruit grows actually is. Climbing on his back and pointing at my favourite fruit had become a routine with the little me. I never knew that so many people lack the importance and knowledge of the backbone of our country, who indeed are the real heroes – FARMERS!!

Those years growing up and those unending story telling sessions about growing crops and how my grand dad actually took me to fields came all rushing back when I came across this beautiful and heart touching film by Finolex Pipes called #SaathHaiHum You guys can see for yourself what I mean by watching the video Below-

This video will make you question and ponder about how we never really thought about the farmers and also about those million times when we considered farming something only the villagers do. This video raises an important topic for each and everyone, including you and me taking an initiative of thinking as the farmers as one of us. Whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, staying in a city or a village, we all are one and it is about time to know what actually goes into the farming and agricultural work that is carried out across our nation. Finolex Pipes has been connecting cities and villages with their water pipelines and just like that we can reduce the distances and know the real heroes closely by communicating, interacting, and by actually getting to know the farmers. They are just like you and me!

So I was ecstatic when Finolex Pipes presented me with an opportunity of getting to know a farmer and connecting with him over a call. I knew this was going to be one of the most intriguing and memorable conversations of my life!The son of the soil with whom I spoke was Mr. Alpesh Kumar who has the degree of B.Com from Surat University. He belongs and resides in Karagaav in Gujarat. In our conversation, he spoke with so much passion about how his grandfather and his father carried out farming of Sugarcane, which is one of the most important crops of our country. He started sugarcane farming from the year 2003 and he owns his family farmlands, that stretches across 200 acres in Gujarat. He also mentioned the fact that his forefathers had started farming with mere 80 acres and how he flourished with his hard work and perseverance, thus converting it into 200 acres. I asked him few questions like how long does it take for the crop to grow, to that he answered that sugarcane is one of the most hardest crops to grow and it takes 14 whole months for the sugarcane to be fully ready. He was hands on with technology, crop growing techniques and the various Government rules and regulations pertaining to agriculture. I learned from him about ‘pedi’ which, means tax on sugarcane factory that is increasing by the day and in turn making it very difficult for them to earn. His usual day consists of him getting up around 6 a.m., he is on the fields everyday by 7 a.m. and by 12 p.m. he is done with his lunch along with the other labourers too. After a brief rest period of an hour or so, he is back to the fields around 2 p.m. and usually the early dinners with the entire family gets over by 7:30 p.m. He always dedicates an hour of the nights towards book reading and storytelling with his wife for his kids. He also likes to spend time facebooking and watching T.V.

What he spoke about farming left me mesmerized in true sense!! Alpeshji says – “Any life to grow needs four things. Earth, Water, Seeds and Farmers!!! Just like a father protects his kids and watches them grow, farming to me is my own kid, it is my baby. I do not consider it as a profession. I chose to be a farmer and nothing makes me happier than seeing my own sweat and hard work pay off in the form of full grown crops.”

I salute the spirit of each and every farmer that has had a part to play in India. More than 70% of our country’s population consists of farmers and they have such strong spirits and dedication towards what they do. All I can say is #SaathHaiHum and may they always prosper and flourish!!! We are truly one!!

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