Farmer Suicide on Anti - Suicide Day

Farmer Suicide on Anti - Suicide Day

Observing September 10 as anti-suicide day people of Kerala never would have thought that next day news papers also would bring them the usual news of yet another farmer committing suicide. Sri Shaji (42) of Pulpally village of Wayanadu District chose the very day to end his miserable life by consuming pesticide. Crop failure in the two acre plot he took on lease pushed the poor soul to this extreme step. Shaji’s case is in no way an isolated one in Kerala which is well Known for it’s high suicidal rate (about four times the national average).

Kerala’s villages are by far prosperous when compared to those of other states especially the villages of northern India. People are educated, well dressed and politically elite. The prosperity brought by remittances from abroad, the easy money derived from rubber etc give glitter to even the remotest village, those who have really celebrate flaunting it those who don’t have feel frustrated. They feel as if they would never been born. As their social status get diminished day by day. Next it is the turn of desperate attempt on their part to prove a point that they are capable to something. The lack of capital is no problem as banks are in search of somebody to accept the loans so that the allocation intended for agricultural purposes may be disposed of at the earliest. The farmer who is not used to so much money before, returns smiling all his way to home. The long cherished dreams of the family members consumes the entire amount within days and nothing left for farming purpose for which the loan amount was actually granted. His daughters marriage may take place or his house gets repaired or buy some jewelry to his wife. Balance amount if any may be used for paying previous debts.

Happy days never last for ever. The money that was fast drained out make the farmer in utter desperation. When Banks press for their money and the crops failed for lack of care, when domestic problems haut him he has no place to hide . The daily dose of newspaper readings regarding farmers’ suicides with photos and biographies of the bereaved families bring sympathy from all around. All these make him think of committing suicide, which makes an end to all his problems. At last he can prove a point that he is capable of doing something and that is the final act,

When a suicide takes place somewhere the government machinery so far dormant springs in to action –ministers visit their home –with wide media coverage and make all sorts of promises to the family and media-writing off of loan taken is the main promise. These promises usually are seldom kept is another thing.

All said and done the farmer so far a nobody becomes a somebody. the entire states eyes and ears are focused in to the late farmer and his family. There a lot of ” would be” suiciders among the viewers and readers who are seriously pondering a way of ending their life. No media thinks of them while they are busy in covering the news and trying to gain political mileage out of it!!! Sarkari boons like giving job to the dependents, giving a hundred thousand rupees as grant writing off of loan taken are showered on the family alluring others to do such “acts of courage”!

Love thy neighbor feel happy of the prosperity he has achieved. And be happy because you are happy to witness the other man’s happiness . There are a lot of good things in the world to see hear and feel!

Author: Sasi Kumar

Source: Naturemagics.com - website on Kerala Tourism

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