Creating Enthusiasm for a New Future in Farming

Dr. Nitin Bhore's enthusiasm for creating a new future through agriculture and organic farming has inspired the staff and volunteers of SNET. He is somewhat of a pied-piper with everyone excitedly listening to his message of hope. He suggested that SNET grow saplings of fruit trees and create a give away program for our neighboring farmers and villagers who struggle so hard to create any kind of profit or value for themselves and their families. (Please read the previous blog entry, June 8, 2010). His advice included not only giving away plants, but also providing instruction on how to prepare the soil by digging big enough holes for the plants to grow into, utilizing organic fertilizers of local cow and sheep dung or manure, and providing water to the trees by recycling household water. The villagers with no land of their own were told to dig holes around their homes so that they could monitor the care and watering of their trees as well as protect the harvest from scavengers.

So on April 23, 2010 Sunil Anaokar, Pervez Kazi, MotiRam, Dewa and Jeanetta Haley traveled to Pune for the day to meet Dr. Bhore in his home town and "go shopping," but not for mere household items or clothes, but for seeds. Dr. Bhore offered to take them around Pune and find the best papaya and drumstick seeds.

He graciously took us into his home in Pune which vibrates with love from the hearts of entire family: himself, his wife, his mother, and two boys. The home reminds me of a Mexican country farmhouse, hand carved doors and furniture. In fact, Dr. Bhore is of Mexican descent but I don’t think he has ever visited Mexico. But it is obviously in his blood, for he is immensely creative with the construction materials available in India. His mother served us homemade “starters” which might be called “tapas” if we were in Mexico. Little pie shaped dumplings.

Before shopping he took us to a Blue Nile for lunch of “the best Briyani in Pune” and it was good. Because of the increased threat of terrorism in Pune there was a metal detector and security at the door like there is airport and cameras on the walls. The world is a different place even in Pune, where there was a bombing of a German Bakery in the past few months. In contrast, on the walls were these cute photos of animals, from a more innocent era. One had a quirky photo of a lamb with the caption, “Pleased to meet you, Meat to please you.” Guess I am kind of quirky to remember it.

Afterwards we bought our papaya seeds, drumstick seeds, marigold seeds and a few vegetable varieties we hadn’t seen before. Dr. Bhore recommended various other supplies he thought would help us in our agriculture venture. We were thrilled to have his expertise and connections for getting seeds. At one seed shop, he actually opened up the seed package to see if it contained good seeds. Now, we would not have thought to do that. And what he discovered was poor quality dried-up seeds. Needless to say, we did not buy those. Thanks Dr. Bhore.

At the Pune Agriculture Marketing Center seen to the left, we were approached by a man from northern India selling his last bags of Basmati rice out of the back of his little motorcycle type truck. Dr. Bhore asked to see the rice. He took it into his hand, examined it, and then smelled the rice, just like he might do if it was wine. He thought it was good. When we each took a little into our hands, we understood what he meant. What an education to be with someone who knows the field of agriculture. Four of us bought the man out of his last bags for a very good price.

After the shopping adventure, we made a short trip to visit Hazrat Babajan again for Kazi and MotiRam to experience. This evening was a special day at the shrine and it was not open for visitors as in the past visit. But we were allowed to take her darshan through the windows. Kazi put on his white little cap that is part of his Muslim culture, which proved to be his entry ticket. The person at the door could see his earnest and he was lucky enough to be allowed inside for the first time. You can see him peering into the window to the right. What bliss for all of us to visit her again.

Dr. Bhore had us return to his home where he entertained us in his garden patio in the front of his yard that is magically lit by twinkly lights and surrounded by tall bamboo and flowering hibiscus. He described to us how many people walking by his home will stop and ask if this is some kind of restaurant. He brought out a very good red wine for us to try which we rarely see living in Nimboli. One of his contacts, who has become a friend, like us, makes wine. It was a nice touch after a long day. Fortunately when you hire a car, you already have a designated driver and we were escorted home.