Two weeks of lockdown have gone past. Most people have been struggling with restricted environments, but I’m quite enjoying this rejuvenating period at home. And the one and only reason for this is that my home is within the eco-habitat we co-created! I dread to imagine how it would have been, had we been living in the dense city! 

Every morning, as we wake up to the melodious chirps of the birds amidst our lush green landscape, I am filled with a sense of awe. It feels good to see that we have abundant spaces for these beings to feel as much at home like us. Nothing has changed for them or maybe it has if you go by the WhatsApp forwards of wild animals reclaiming their rightful share in the man-made spaces. Honestly, I don’t feel affected much by the lockdown except that we’ve reorganised the way we’re working. I’ve also made peace with the insecurity of losing business. I don’t fret anymore as I used to a week ago. 

When I see my wife plucking fresh vegetables from our backyard and when I see her and other Organo Naandians turning farmers, I get this strong feeling that we don’t really need much. It reiterates my conviction that we are better off as an agrarian society rather than consumerists.’ I’m sure you’ll agree with me that this lockdown has brought us together to arrive at collective solutions on farming, animal husbandry, managing our waste instead of solely focusing on sanitising our hands. 

Our collective knowledge and wisdom on all the aspects of eco-living are increasing each passing day. Be it, farming, vermicomposting, water or power concerns. We’ve learnt to be happy with minimalism. Work culture is moving to virtual offices, thereby saving our time and resources that are required for commuting. We’re learning something new every day. 

Organo Naandians have become self-reliant in figuring out ways and means to collectively fulfil their needs. The consequence – reduced operational costs and self-sufficiency. Isn’t that phenomenal when compared to a consumerist society? For instance, community volunteers have totally mastered farm water management, de-weeding, and are having fun with harvesting. The added advantage of reduced costs is incidental. Similar is the case with monitoring power cuts in our on-grid solar power generation system and calibration of back-up time on diesel power generation. Reduced demand for fuel consumption has also reduced costs in some areas. 

We’re now comfortable with picking up milk and veggies for each other which has resulted in deep bonding and energising interactions. While the rest of the world is struggling with coming-to-terms with the current reality, we as a community have used the time constructively to strengthen our Rurban way of life. I see this becoming a sub-culture across the world, in the times to come. Frugality is a new reality that everyone will embrace. Honestly, is there a better choice? Children are not only signing up for more activities like art and active sports rather than video gaming all the time, while their education has shifted to digital classrooms. 

Interested in being part of a self-reliant Eco-habitat like this? Let’s connect...