The failure of Agriculture resulting in lack of employment opportunities in the rural areas leading to migration to urban centers for work was found to be the major contributory factor. Tirukkural's Connection to Economics There is a well known verse in `Tirukkural' (verse # 1033, chapter #104) that states, "Uzhudhundu Vaazhvaare Vaazhvaar, Matrellaam Thozhudhundu Pin Selbavar". The verse points out that farmers working on land, producing food for themselves and for the community at large, are the only productive people on earth and the rest simply thrive on the labor of farmers. Tirukkural, a classical Tamil masterpiece, was penned by Tiruvalluvar, the great poet saint of Tamil Nadu 2000 years ago when agriculture was the mainstay of a rudimentary one sector farming economy. Much water has flown down the bridge on Ganges, in the economic sense, since the period of Tirukkural and the concept of one sector economy may not hold water today though it reflects truly the state of economy that prevailed then and for centuries thereafter. Economic changes began with the Industrial Revolution in England between the 17th to 19th century that also witnessed the evolution of Economics as a distinct science which made a clear cut sub- division of the economy into three distinct sectors, namely, Primary (Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and mining), Secondary (Industry)and Tertiary (Service) sectors and the combined contributions of these sectors came to be referred to as the Gross National Product or GNP. The question of ranking the sectors on the basis of their contribution to the economy became crucial in economic analysis. Whereas the Industrial Revolution of the past resulted in putting the industrial sector far above the primary or farming sector in its share of the GNP in industrialised countries, the Technological Revolution and the onset of the Computer Technology towards the last few decades of the 20th century gave a boost to the tertiary or service sector which rapidly overtook both the farming and industry sectors in terms of its contribution to the GNP. The net result of these economic changes is the steep fall in the status of the farming sector, giving it a low third place in the economy. Do the above facts disprove what was said in Tirukkural about the important role of land and farming? In reality, a closer examination of the matter reveals that, despite the passage of time, Tirukkural may not be wrong after all. Despite the resounding advances that resulted from the Industrial and Technological Revolutions, the original source of everything that are made and consumed in the modern world can still be traced back to land and the natural resources on land or under it! A few examples will go to prove the same. The finest garments that we wear today are ultimately made from cotton or other fibres that come from the land. The most advanced car that we drive is made of components like steel, plastic, rubber etc that in turn are derived from raw materials on land or under it. The daily bread and other types of foods come from a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables that are grown on land. We can go on and on till the list is exhausted only to find in the end that there is nothing that we produce and consume which did not originate from land. What was proclaimed in Tirukkural about the importance of land and farming appears to be as much valid now as it was 2000 years ago. Indeed, it can be said that man did not `create' or `invent' anything beyond drawing on and exploiting the resources from land and the secrets of nature!. Desikachary Vembar E-mail: desikacharyv@... Culture and Agriculture It converts every drop of sweat into a bead of grain Culture commenced with agriculture. Man remained mad and was a nomad before embarking upon cultivation. Tillage initiated the era of non-violence. Land was reclaimed and labour acclaimed while learning the secrets of nature. It transformed soil and soul. We began as carnivores, became omnivores and ended as herbivores with the advent and advancement of agronomy. We moved on to farming from hunting and relished consuming usufructs instead of blood and flesh to satiate quench our hunger. Woman taught man about nature. She wondered at the sprouting of fallen seeds and pursued their growth meticulously. Still, she retains the art of wondering intact without any adulteration. She learnt how nature suo moto proliferates. She inherently understood the intricacies of reproduction as she had firsthand knowledge of procreation. She contemplated and conceived the idea of farming to avert poaching and avoid danger. Domesticated animal Man became her pupil and woman his pedagogue. She paved the way for safe settlement with peace so that men need not congregate to fight with wolves for the same piece of meat. All docile animals were domesticated by her. She helped them in shedding their claws and ferocity by stroking them constantly and administering copious doses of love and warmth. Man learnt compassion, affection, sympathy and empathy from her. As Will Durant said, man was the last animal to be domesticated by woman. He moved from caves to homes, matriarchy to patriarchy, movement to settlement and segregation to family by virtue of his proprietary over land. All social institutions were offsprings of his attachment to land. Even today, women for minimum wages do crucial cropping operations. Men plough, sow, manure and thrash whereas women plant, transplant, weed and harvest. Thus, cumbersome and backbreaking practices are dexterously done by women, constituting the backbone of husbandry. Rousseau acknowledged, "The first and most respectable of all arts is agriculture". Gibbon remarked, "Agriculture is foundation of manufactures". Shakespeare appreciated, "Let me not assistant for a state but keep a farm and cater". Whittier eulogised, "Who sows a field or trains a flower or plants a tree is more than all". Thomas Jefferson proclaimed, "Those who labour in the earth are the chosen people of God". R. G. Ingersoll declared, "To plough is to pray". Emerson concluded, "The glory of farmer is that in division of labour. It is his part to create. All trades rest at last on his primitive activity". Oliver Goldsmith prophesised, "But a bold peasantry their country's pride when once destroyed can never be supplied". Learning from nature Seed is miracle in miniscule and universe in capsule. Every new leaf it turns enriches environment. It establishes a link between terrestrial depths and celestial heights. It demonstrates that roots are always invisible and if they endeavour to show off, the tree gets extirpated. Tree offers sanctuary for aviary, asylum for apiary, shelter for wayfarers, and refuge for cattle. It provides podium for our winged brethren to conduct their orchestra. It lives upto the `parable of sower'. Fragrant flowers fall to prostrate roots, the root cause for their forthcoming. Soil educates us that it takes years to build and minutes to erode. Sylviculture binds us with existence. Growing a plant or vine or shrub connects us with the soul of nature. We too foliate with their luxuriance. We become harmonious with our surroundings. We feel elated and delighted. It becomes an act of great creativity and a fulcrum for life to revolve around. It brings mirth in our vague routine affairs and colours our black and white moments. Labour on land is a productive exercise par excellence. It converts every drop of sweat into a bead of grain. Toiling, reaping and sharing are three fundamental norms essential to convert earthly existence into a heavenly experience. We can plant if not a tree at least a herb so as to repay one millionth of what we have derived from our cosmos. It will be a real fruitful venture and, with dedication, a meditation. V. IRAI ANBU "People have been trained to buy water and they never know that it is their right to enjoy water facility free of cost. Joint Action For Sustainable Lively Hood (JASuL) has taken up the issue to create an awareness of the right to protect water, a natural resource," Mr. Marirajan said. He said that when the JASuL took up a study on livelihood resources such as land, water, cattle, and agricultural activities, "the result was stunning. Villages were like old age homes as already all the youth have migrated to city Staff Reporter Padayatra to create an awareness of right to protect water INVOLVEMENT: Students of St. Joseph's Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Rajakambiram watching the programme organised by JASuL. MADURAI : If somebody says "I feel thirsty but I cannot afford a tumbler of water..." Sounds pathetic. A day might come to hear these words. As a precautionary measure and to create an awareness among the public of the fact that getting protected drinking water is everybody's right and it is the duty of the Government to give it to its citizens, the Joint Action For Sustainable Lively Hood (JASuL) is organising a padayatra for protecting water and life resources. The JASuL of Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar districts organised the padayatra named `from hill to waves' (malai mudhal aalai varai) from Rajapalayam to Rameswaram, said T. Marirajan, State coordinator, JASuL. The participants also highlight the impact of globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation by conducting street corner meetings, rallies and organised meetings besides performing dramas. To inculcate responsibility among the youth, the participants also perform dramas highlighting the bad effects of felling trees and selling water and uses of agriculture on school premises.
Source:http://indiainteracts.in/utilities/printpage.php?source=blogcontent&id=1484&postid=1
Source:http://indiainteracts.in/utilities/printpage.php?source=blogcontent&id=1484&postid=1
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