TEA GARDENS......CAMOUFLAGE OF  SERENITY.     (PART 1)

      It was a long-lasting dream to visit the tea gardens of Assam which was fulfilled today as I got an opportunity to go to the tea garden. We went to Mornai tea estate which is a1 hour drive approx. 20 k.m.  from the orgnisation. I was totally mesmerized by the lush green tea gardens all around

 where ever I could see was green tea gardens.I could not assimilate the beauty of the garden. I was full with it and just went on admiring the beauty. I was totally dumb founded in the beauty of the garden and it was the scene of labour who brought me back to my senses. The laborer’s  mostly women were totally engrossed in their work. They were plucking the tea leaves As I stood their looking at them with amazement and curiosity which did not bother them but when I took some pictures a sense of fear and silence spread across the garden which made me realize that I am an alien trying to intrude in their privacy. They know that they are going to through difficulties but they do not have an option and they are stuck due to their ill fate and they have to go through a lot of difficulties and hardship. But they are warned by their owner not to entertain outsiders like us who try to dig out some truth from them. Some seemed to be enjoying their work as they were chatting and talking with their local language.

 I was observing them for some times before I headed towards the office as I realise without permission from the tea garden manager no one will be willing to interact with us but I did interact with them for a short while. As I had a conversation with them I realise it requires attention and breaking of cannope of the lush green gardens. Some data available about the tea garden workers. I was wondering why is that only tribals have to do all this? They are always at risk and they live a miserable life and they are vulnerable. They do not  have any security if tomorrow they are thrown out of the work but still they continue to work…….WHY? A lot many such questions which I am perplexed with will be answered as I will be spending bit more time with the tea garden workers as it requires a lot of formal permissions and once I get that I will get into the real world of tea garden.

TO BE CONTINUED......







VIVIAN LOPES
TISS  MUMBAI,

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