The entry point

© pj nair

Last weekend, twelve of us gathered together at Kodeeri Mana in Naduvattom to discuss the following:

1. Background of the formation of Nila Foundation.
2. How different entities like The Blue Yonder, Vayali, Madhava Vidyalayam and Kodeeri Nature Camp became partners and came on a common platform.
3. Need for action and focusing more on DO’s and less on DON’Ts .
4. Need to institutionalise Nila Foundation while still maintaining the holistic approach.
5. How to move from the scope of ‘Preaching to the converts’ to "the common people"
6. What should be the entry point to achieve this?
7. Who could be the potential partners?
8. What should be criteria for taking more partners?
9. Revisit the objectives of the foundation.
10. Status of 'Puzha Malayalam'.
11. Tangible action plans for the immediate future

© pj nair

Most of the 'get-togethers' are because people think alike and they want to make a difference. This is of no difference to our get together also. We were there because we were concerned about the devastating changes that are happening, but strongly believe that we can actually make positive changes rather than just sit and watch the world go by. It was in this context that Nambu raised the point of 'preaching to the converts' (point 5) in one of our informal get together.

Whats the point in discussing things between us when we are convinced that there is a need for change? We had a small debate on what should be the entry point to reach common people to explore the options of a sustainable lifestyle. Some of us strongly believed that the river itself is the entry point or the medium to reach people. But some of us were not really convinced if the river was actually so much a part of people's social psyche as we claim!


© pj nair

After a week from that discussion, I just received this note from a person called PJ Nair from Dubai along with the above pictures :

"I just surfed by into your website; I was fascinated and by your singular passion for the Nila, and I’ve, too, felt a similar, unknown fascination with this enigmatic river and the rich culture of the people who abide along its banks. All along, since childhood, I’ve tried to express my love for the river in words dredged from my memories, but alas! I’m not cut out to be a writer. But of late, I take pics of the river whenever possible- though I prefer to go upriver, near Lekkidi and Tiruvilwamala, where it’s more open, less populated and the views are exquisite. Here are a few panoramic pics off the bridge at Lekkidi. My best wishes towards the success of your book."

For some people the river is still a connection!

Bangalore © GP 2008