IMPRESSIONS

19th Chinna Shodha Yatra- mpressions of Naveen, VNIT, Nagpur
Inspired from Shodha Yatra conducted by SRISTI organisation, Palle Srujana paved the way to explore the knowledge of villages through CHINNA Shodha YatraS as a part of which volunteers of Palle Srujana visit the remote areas of the Telugu states once in every three months  and explore new methods of farming and search for grass root innovators and also to provide the knowledge gained through the previous yatras and grass root innovations to the rural communities by exhibiting few of innovations to gain their trust and belief.

As the last part of our internship, we participated in our very first yatra -19th Chinna Shodha yatra. Here are my impressions regarding the shodha yatra.

Being recently operated for a surgery just few weeks before the yatra, I was not sure if I could complete the yatra safely. On meeting one of our senior most volunteers Mr Kranthi, we came to know a brief of the yatra (most importantly a 50 km walk). But still I didn’t want to miss out this opportunity though I was not completely aware of the yatra and the perks of being a part of it.

Starting from the first moment of the journey each and every moment of the yatra has been a unique memory itself. And firstly I thank Brig Ganesham for providing us such a beautiful experience. This yatra is nothing less than an adventure for me. The following is what I have learnt, observed, gained and all positive aspects:

1. The very first thing I have learnt from the yatra is nothing is too hard for an individual if he/she has the determination and willpower.
2. All the luxuries we have in our urban life are nothing but practices to become lazier and softer and the three days stay in villages (my first ever stay in villages) has taught me that one can survive happily without luxuries and staying close to nature has always made a person better(healthier, wiser, happier)
3. Every part of any village has engulfed adequate amount of knowledge which can be gained only when we are involved into the nature.
4. I got to meet new people (both yatris and villagers), interact with them get to know their perspectives ideas and ideologies and also share my views and opinions with them was the important part and theme of the yatra.
5. We have to respect our elders for all the knowledge and experience they have and they are nothing less to any library
6. I have observed that the heart of the country i.e. the rural communities have often unattended and it is time to take some serious steps for their upliftment. 
7. During the sessions we had during our yatra I came to know about problems I didn’t even know that existed and my view regarding these problems in general is along with searching for a solution for these problems people should be made aware of these problems i.e the problems must be publicized .
8. I also had the time for introspection and I asked myself what can I do on my part in solving the problems. The following problems were put forward in the discussions and sessions.
9. Milk preservative agents.
10. Using excessive chemicals as pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture.
11. Excessive knee and other joint pains.
12. Tulasi - a herbal growth promoter marketing.
13. Pochampalli sarees sales.
14. Reducing weight of jacquard looms.
15. Back pains in farmers while inserting seeds across the field.
16. Marketing Sritailam.
17. Herbal healing method validation.
18. Problems caused by animals to farmers.
19. Hyacinth.
20. Palle Srujana magazine subscriptions in the entire state.

Though I cannot provide a solution to any of the above problems right now, I will try my entire best in contributing for the solution in the long run.

1. As one of our yatris observed that there are no banks or ATMs in the villages there should be actions take with respect to it (opening bank accounts, having crop insurance etc)
2. Even though I have no knowledge in farming and agriculture, the talks of Mr Vijay Kumar sir have fascinated me towards. I would like to try farming at least once in my lifetime.
3. I have also learnt that there is caste system and probably untouchability is still in practice in few villages after talking to few villagers.
4. From the stories of the innovators, I have realized the truth in the quotation ”YOUR ATTITUDE, NOT YOUR APTITUDE THAT DECIDES YOUR ALTITUDE”.
5. I have also learnt how to respect people from the hospitality extended by the of the villagers to yatries.

In nutshell, I have earned memories, friends, inspirations, role models(Brigadier ) and last but not the least many questio