Welcome in a forest village

Years ago, as part of a project, we embarked on a visit to a cluster of villages nestled deep within the forests. Our mandate was to gather information from the forest dwellers to assess their socio-economic status, their dependence on forest resources, and the condition of the forest.

Leading a young team of scientists — most of whom had never visited a village, let alone ventured into dense thickets — was a challenge. While we were excited and curious about exploring unfamiliar places, many of us felt apprehensive about spending extended time there after work hours. Our main concerns included staying in dimly lit huts for over two weeks, attending to nature’s call in the open, uncertain phone connectivity, and fear of mosquitoes and reptiles. Food, however, was not a concern, as a cook and an assistant accompanied us. To boost morale, I told my team during a pep talk that we might be reluctant to leave once our assignments were complete.

We set off on a foggy morning and arrived at a village known for its prominent temple, where people regularly gathered from the surrounding areas. This village was ideal for our stay and data collection due to its proximity to other hamlets. The temple congregation also provided an excellent opportunity to meet villagers from neighbouring areas.

Thanks to the arrangements made by our institute, we settled in comfortably. The village elders, accompanied by women and young girls, welcomed us with great pomp and gaiety — much to the delight and slight embarrassment of our demure young women scientists. The villagers’ simple yet elegant demeanour was both impressive and endearing.

Their heartfelt hospitality quickly helped us integrate into the community. The villagers, warm and accommodating, eagerly shared their customs and practices. The ease with which every team member, especially the women, mingled with them was a testament to the charm of the people and the place.

Our cook and assistant found little to do, as households insisted we join them for meals. We felt fortunate to enjoy such delectable meals, lovingly prepared from. The affection poured into every platter made the food taste even better. Feeling at home, we often turned our lunch sessions into informal interviews, using questionnaires to gather information.

The villagers’ enthusiastic and sincere participation made our work smooth, allowing us to complete our assignments ahead of schedule. The team, initially eager to leave, now urged me to request an extension to stay longer for data analysis and report writing. They believed it would be more productive to work amidst the village environment rather than in the institute’s four-walled laboratories. When permission was granted without hesitation, both guests and hosts were equally pleased.

It was presumptuous of us to assume superiority over the forest dwellers — perhaps because we spoke English, wore branded clothes, and carried academic titles. The ever-smiling, innocent faces, the strong bonds that united them as one family, and their harmonious relationship with Mother Nature made us realise that the tribal way of life is far superior to ours. At the end of the day, we felt we had much to learn from their simple yet profound way of living.

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