The Farmer & The Farm

I met a guy a few years ago, a handsome young man, apparently an engineer who had just returned after working in Singapore, back to his roots for good.

It was a typical arranged marriage set up in a cafe, we both sipping our lattes, interviewing each other. Fast forward – things didn’t work out at that cafe date as they could have and we both parted ways. Not intending to see each other again.

One year down the line we connected again through Instagram. And the same handsome young man now was a fully committed farmer. Not any farmer, but a passionate farmer with the fire to change the way we look at farmers, to revolutionize agricultural practices, to give back to his village. His contribution to the village and the region where his grandfather had put down roots.

The Instagram connect kindled an endearing friendship with this Singapore returned farmer. In jest I would tease the poor fellow by referring to him as the fancy farmer. The unusual kind, dressed up in branded shirts and jeans, very fluent in English and one with a Masters degree. But very desi at heart. His soul deeply connected to the farm.

It wasn’t love at first sight but was a slow and steady journey. A connection which grew stronger every day and that endearing friendship blossomed into a deep romantic relationship. They say when you are meant to be together you will definitely end up being together and the entire universe shall contrive to ensure that you come together. Love and its wonderful ways. For the both of us it was meant to be.

Today I am Happily Married to this engineer turned farmer and living on the farm with him. And even though, me personally being from a city background, can’t even tell the difference between a jowar and a bajra bhakri (forms of Maharashtrian breads), I am loving my life at the farm with him. Walking the talk shoulder to shoulder with him. Getting to see what makes him connect to the farm and making my own connections.

We eat fresh produce right from the farm, fresh milk at the table, fresh veggies and fresh fruits. I literally just ate the chickoo I plucked from the tree outside the veranda, with the dogs running circles around me. I no more go to a coconut vendor for coconut water, just get it plucked off the trees and joyously sip it. Feels like I am reliving my childhood. 

Being creatures brought up in a different world, we live two lives – one the city life which most of us are aware of and the other is the village life which unfortunately very few of us get to experience. Well we do have a weak wi-fi but strong human connections. I know more about my neighbours here at the farm than what I know about my next-door neighbour in the city!!

The most fun part is, life at the farm gives you a panoramic view of your own life where you know all that is happening around you. You get time for some true introspection. In the city one feels like that horse who is blinkered and can focus only on the one thing – the rat race to earn the daily bread and butter. I am so glad that I have been able to step out of that crazy rat race.

I feel the real zenith is for sure closer to Mother Earth, away from the never-ending hustle and bustle of our burgeoning metropolises.

They say all good things are WILD & FREE. Well that’s life for us – Happily Wild and Free. Joyously Wild and Free. Raring to transform all around us with our boundless energy.

Written by Dr. Saiyuktaraje Nimbalkar

Born & brought up in Pune. Studied Dentistry and now pursuing masters in psychology alongside being the happy wife to the farmer from Asu.

Week 7, February 2021