The Balagram - farming

wheat crop

The Balagram uses the 2 acre land that it has to cultivate crops that it uses for its sustenance. When we went there they were growing wheat on the farms. After the wheat is harvested, 'cheru payar' (Moong daal) is sown. Achen said they need to do maximum cultivation in the land to meet the needs of the children at the Balagram. When the 'cheru payar' cultivation is done the land is very hot, so they have to supply maximum water to grow the crop. Once the cheru payar is harvested, the land is then sown with soya beans.




vegetable garden

(as written by Mathew Samuel(Sunil) a visitor to the Balagram in January 2013)

stable at the far end

Besides there is a vegetable garden where we have different vegetables grown and used in the Balagram. There is small stable where cattle is raised. Raju achen showed us around the place and gave us a history of the place, how they had lost considerable land to government constructions closeby, how he had pleaded with the authorities to release the land they have currently for the maintenance of the Balagram, how certain good individuals had helped them etc. It all seemed to me to be story of how God was miraculously working out ways for the Balagram to grow and flourish against all odds. Praise and glory always belongs to the Lord!.

A warm welcome by Peter - Balagram at Itarsi

Peter

As my cousin Binoy and I stepped out of the jeep that had brought us to the Balagram in Itarsi, we were greeted by a clean shaven young man. Binoy knew him from previous visits "Peter, kaise ho!" Binoy greeted him.

Peter was very warm and welcoming. He spoke in Hindi, but he could understand Malayalam well, as he was the oldest member of the Balagram. This year he is writing his final year B. Com Examination, which means this year they have a reason for celebration - the Balagram will soon have its first graduate!



Rev. Fr. Raju Vattiyanickal

Peter led us to Fr. Raju Vattiyanickal's room. We were introduced to achen who met us at the reception adjoining his office. Achen later graciously showed us around the place. We listened to conversations as achen gave instructions to Peter in Malayalam who responded back in Hindi and both understood each other pretty well. Language is never a barrier when there is the courage of the will, I thought.

(as written by Mathew Samuel(Sunil) a visitor to the Balagram in January 2013)