In my column on this page last month,I promised more information about the Isha Yoga Foundation, flowing from having attended a two-day Inner Engineering workshop conducted by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev in Mumbai. But my participation in the follow-up workshop was not to be. It was jinxed again, as it has been for the past three years. I was unable to attend, in spite of having paid the donation towards it. So this month I‚m writing another piece that has been on my mind for quite some time. In last month‚s despatch I had mentioned my farming mentor and friend, Dr. Sudhir Thimmaiah. I hope reading about his pioneering work will enthuse young readers to consider agriculture as a career. We are after all, a nation of farmers with almost 70 percent of the population still deriving a living from the soil. If I were young again, studying agriculture would definitely have been my choice of subject. It‚s about the very basics of life. What can be more basic than growing the food we eat? So getting back to Dr. Thimmaiah, I first met him last March at a biodynamics study programme (already covered in this column) in Mysore. He was a guest speaker and the moment I heard what he had to say, I realised that though only in his thirties, he has acquired wisdom, knowledge and compassion beyond his years. He is gifted with a rare combination of virtues which enables him to be a consultant for his livelihood, with enough spare time for helping people wherever he goes. Personally I felt he had been divinely inspired to help me graduate from a city dweller to an organic farmer. Having met him a few times and corresponded with him by e-mail for the past nine months, I believe he should be appointed the Union minister of agriculture or at the very least, an advisor to him. That will be the day, when those who really know about agriculture are in charge of the ministry. Sadly, the current incumbents know precious little about the needs of the majority of citizens, animals or the earth. That‚s why knowledgeable professionals like Dr. Thimmaiah are honoured by countries like Bhutan which he has converted completely to organic farming. It boggles the mind to think of the chain reaction that would ensue if someone like him was in charge of Indian agriculture ‚ there would be few farmer suicides, plenty of safe food, and enough for all. Malnutrition would be rare as organic food is richer in nutrients. Food would taste better and there would be less disease. Land wouldn‚t be degraded, there would be less carbon in the air, and less pollutants in water. Consequently India‚s huge landmass would be able to support and nourish future generations.Yes, contrary to what myopic doomsdayers predict, this rich and diverse subcontinent can support a better life for all its citizens. But the people who govern us seem to have one prime objective: to fill their coffers…
