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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Saturday, February 21, 2015

{Part IX of Trip to India - Lal Mandi Srinagar, J & K People - Living}

Thank you for following along for reading these chapters about husband Pieter's trip to India, following the Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus. 
Previous chapters can be found below this post. Now we are having a peak at Lal Mandi in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir State how People actually are LIVING.
A dreary day in a very muddy area...
Not easy to exist in this part of the world...
J & K State, short for Jammu & Kashmir is at the very top, bordering Tibet (China), Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Not looking very glamorous... on this day in March!
Woolens are the fabrics, worn by the people for staying warm!
For sure H.R.H. Prince Claus meant to help these people through the Dutch Development Program he initiated...
Struggling hard for making a living and under such harsh conditions...
No need for adding another wing to the University in Delhi about more research on mushroom growing.
These people need some basics!
There is so much unemployment...
Doing dishes at the only village spout...
Still, those women wear a beautiful smile; despite all the hardships...
Grinding their own corn or whatever...
Storing rice, cereals and such...
Yes, these are the homes, they are living in...
A smiling woman on the balcony, peeling something...
A family posing in front of their new home...
Imagine being barefooted in such climate...
A peek inside the home of the most important village man; kind of a mayor...
He has a rug on the floor!
He did invite my husband Pieter for a tea and assuring him that the water had been boiled appropriately...
Not much luxury in such a home as it merely functions as a shelter!
Grandpa was a little upset for taking a picture of the bedroom...
You obviously are not that lucky if you are born in that part of the world!
This is their kitchen; no chimney but just a hole in the wall...
Guess after viewing such LIVING conditions, it makes us all guilty for complaining or ever wanting more with all our luxury!

“One must be poor to know the luxury of giving.” ̶  George Eliot

Related links:
{Part VIII of Trip to India - Lal Mandi Srinagar, J & K State - Mushroom Village) | previous post by me
{Part VII of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir} | previous post by me
{Part VI of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Shimla, Himachal Pradesh} | previous post by me
{Part V of Trip to India - Chail Himachal Pradesh & Highest Cricket Ground in the World} | previous post by me
{Part IV of Husband Pieter's Trip to India -  Solan, Himachal Pradesh} | previous post by me
{Part III of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Maharaja Amarinder Singh, Patiala Punjab} | previous post by me
{Part II of Husband Pieter's Trip to India - Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh} | previous post by me
{Part I of Husband Pieter's Trip to India  - Arrival in New Delhi} | previous post by me
{The Mission of H.R.H. Prince Claus - Husband Pieter's Trip to India} | previous post by me


45 comments:

  1. they are beautiful people living very humbly. i cannot imagine the hardships they face every day while we whimper over a cold spell.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Theresa,
      Oh, having witnessed such hardships, makes one want to slap people that whine and whimper for no reason at all!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Liebe Mariette,

    das ist wiederum wunderschön.
    Alles Liebe
    Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Eben finde ich Armut nich so wunderschön...
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Dear Mariette,
    thank you for sharing all those wonderful pictures from Pieter's trip to India!
    Have a lovely weekend!Hugs!
    Dimi..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Dimi,
      You're welcome and this at least does give a pretty clear view as how those people's lifestyle looked like, with only the bare minimum to survive!
      Happy weekend to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. There is still a long way to go to improve the circumstances of many people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Marianne,
      Sadly so for the majority of people on this world!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. These are amazing photos..looking into lives so very different than ours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Janey,
      Indeed, so different from our spoiled lifestyles as all of us in the western world live far better than those people.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. Hello Mariette, While I do feel badly for these people's privations, I don't think that they view themselves simply as victims of deprivation--witness their smiles, will to work, etc. Pieter's program of helping develop the mushroom industry without making them objects of charity is the perfect and most dignified approach.

    While some university programs are exercises in self-aggrandizement, agricultural schools really have developed many techniques and plant varieties that increase crops, lessen work, improve resistance to blights, and so forth. I suppose the real solution is to have such research programs, but not to get too far distant to what is happening in the fields and with the actual growers.
    --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      Indeed those people did show still a happy smile and they certainly are willing to work for their living. Often those people are quite intelligent too but they have no other chance in life and that is very hard to observe. With only some basic improvements, so much could have been reached for those mushroom growers. Sure all the research has its value but one must look at its benefits, case by case and these growers definitely did not need any of that! Just proven technology that has served others for decades would have been great, no need and even no way for implementing high tech at their locations.
      Happy 1st weekend in your new year!
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. Your husband Pieter went to see real life instead of joining others to university for more research. Those photos tell us very harsh reality. That's the bedroom they sleep...what a hard life. But I'm very touched by the beautiful smile on people's faces. Amazing photos.

    Happy Friday, Mariette. It's very cold - please keep warm and safe!


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tamago,
      Oh, our pets live a royal life compared with those people that sleep all together in one room and on some straw. It makes one ache to see them with bare feet in the cold... Still showing that beautiful smile indeed. It teaches us some lessons too!
      Oh, it sure is very cold and I did not go outside for that matter; neither did our kids.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Lieb Mariette,
    auch wenn uns einige der Menschen fröhlich anlächeln, so sieht man doch,
    dass der Alltag schwer auf ihnen lastet.
    Einen guten Start ins Wochenende wünscht
    Irmi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Irmi,
      Ja, das liebe lächeln is nur ein Zeichen das sie sehr freundlich und bescheiden sind. Wenn wir unser luxus Leben vergleichen mit denen dann brauchen wir nie wieder unserem Mund zu öffnen um uns zu beklagen.
      Auch ein schönes Wochenende wünsche ich dir.
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. I strongly agree with the quote. Oftentimes poor people are more willing to give than rich ones. And it is not because they have more to give but it is because they know what it is to have nothing.

    These photos of course are heartbreaking. Sometimes I'd rather not see them because seeing them won't change their life conditions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Mari,
      Yes, that quote is correct but I do not agree with not wanting to see their reality as it DOES change their conditions if the world is more aware of them! Just project that onto yourself; imagining that it is YOU living under those harsh circumstances. What would you think?
      Enjoy your weekend and stay warm.
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. I strongly agree with the quote. Sometimes poor people are more willing to give than the rich ones. And it is not because they have more but simply because they know how it is to have nothing and they do nit want others to feel the same.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Mari,
      Yes, if it does only one thing to us by looking at those images; making us more grateful for what we already have in abundance!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. These beautiful people teach us much about gratitude, as they are clearly loving and happy despite their humble circumstances. It is sad in this day and age of immense wealth for some, that others are left so wanting. It is wonderful that Pieter was part of helping to lift their circumstances. Yes, we have very little to complain about. xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Karen,
      Oh yes, you did see that right; they do teach us in a very graceful way, despite their circumstances, to have more gratitude for all we have!
      If only the media would focus on people like them, we could make a difference if the affluent nations only find the WILL to make a difference instead of excuses.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. One wonders how people can smile when life is so hard for them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Well, a smile is the most beautiful and FREE exchange between any human being... We ought to admire them for being so gracious!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. Dearest Mariette,

    Thanks for sharing the amazing photos and so lovely to see all the beautiful smiles from the people and all the hardships they face. Wonderful that Pieter was able to help out here.
    Hope you have a lovely weekend
    hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Carolyn,
      They sure show us about grace and being humble... It is such a beautiful people and having to live like that, and worse (see final chapter...) is so heart breaking.
      Hugs and happy weekend!
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. Pieter got some great photos while he was there. I wonder where are all those people are now. I can't imagine living surrounded by mud and such wet conditions. Reminds me of Nepal. The rains just came nonstop and there were landslides and mudslides and river runs and yet you would see children emerging from little huts in crisp white clothes ready for the long trek to school on a sunny day. amazing what some people must endure. And yes, those who have everything should be smacked for complaining. I am surrounded by such people at school and am so tired of their negativity. I will be glad when June comes to be done. Today we have dusty weather and I am very grateful to have shelter and comfort. Best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tammy,
      Yes, those photos do at least show the reality of life in that part of India. Like you, we wonder where they are now; IF they still are alive... You will read more after the final chapter.
      Nepal is not too far from this state so the circumstances must be quite similar. Seeing such poverty made us always feel so blessed and we have learned one thing from it; never ever complain as we all have absolutely no reason for doing so! Guess the more some people have, the more they want and are not even willing to move their butt and DO something.
      It is a lot milder here in Georgia after some late frost and very cold and windy days.
      Hugs and blessings,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. When my family went to India they came back and told me that they counted their wealth by the friends they had not by money. I wish more people in the world would think like that. You can see this on the lovely smiley faces of the women.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kay,
      You are right about that and certainly we both wish more people would act like that. Beautiful people with smiles, despite being deprived of so many things that most westerners take for granted!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Dearest Mariette; Oh My! Your word "These people need some basics" truly echoes in my mind seeing these humble living conditions. And I worried that the rainy weather (at the time ?) also makes their health condition worth. I thank the chance your husband gave us the chance to know the situation they are in and again, hope his visit lifted their life even a little bit.

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Miyako,
      Yes sure we are talking basics here and sure, moist environments are very bad for asthma, bronchitis and whatever. They will have had very seldom visitors coming into their village for assessing their circumstances and looking for basic improvements for their mushroom business.
      Hugs and blessings back from Georgia, USA.
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. lieve Mariette ,
    ik hoop dat de voorzieningen tegenwoordig iets beter zijn in India ..
    Maar ondanks al die problemen (problemen ze weten niet anders)
    zijn ze toch vrolijk ....hele mooie foto"s ...en ik hoop dat met de hulp van uw man
    het een beetj beter wordt ...
    veel liefs ...en een fijn weekend

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lieve Nieneke,
      Om dit al te moeten aanzien is heel erg triest maar de toekomst voor hun is nog veel erger geweest... na het laatste hoofdstuk kun je meer lezen.
      Heel veel liefs en geniet van jullie weekend.
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. Liebe Mariette,
    es geht einem zu Herzen, wenn man diese Bilder sieht - unter welch ärmlichen Verhältnissen
    müssen diese Menschen leben - ein Wunder, dass sie noch ein Lächeln zustande bringen -
    ich würde mir wünschen, dass alle Menschen auf der Erde ein würdevolles Leben haben

    liebe Grüße - Ruth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Ruth,
      Ja es geht einem wirklich zu Herzen um so etwas anschauen zu müssen. Fast ein Wunder wirklich das sie überhaupt ein Lächeln zustande bringen können und es macht uns auch gleichzeitig schuldig, um in Fülle Leben zu können...
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. So malerisch, die Bilder - einerseits - auch die Kinder! Aber was für ein hartes Leben - die armen kleinen Mädchen! Und dann der viele Schlamm ... Die Frauen sind ihr Leben gewöhnt - wir könnten so nicht leben, selbst wenn manche aus der Kindheit noch ganz andere Verhältnisse als heute kennen. Aber der Mensch geht ungern einen oder mehrere Schritte zurück ...

    Daß die Menschen barfuß sind, mag ich mir gar nicht vorstellen; wie leicht können Helminthen, z.B. Hakenwürmer, aufgenommen werden ...

    Man mag kaum hinschauen, so armselig ...
    Da habt Ihr was gesehen, liebe Mariette!

    Liebe Grüße, einen schönen Sonntag
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Sara,
      Ja eine malerische Gegend einerseits; stimmt aber so armselig dass Pieter es auch nie von seine Netzhaut los werden konnte. Diese Woche kommen noch 2 weitere Kapitel mit schockierendem Ende Geschichte demnächst.
      Unser Sonntag war ganz sanft mit 20°C ohne Sonne, heute Nacht ist Regen vorhergesagt.
      Schlamm gibt es aber hier nie... Gott sei Dank; wie gut wir alle es haben!
      Liebe Grüsse,
      Mariette

      Delete
  20. People unless there is hard to live there. Poverty can be seen in the pictures. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Giga,
      Beautiful area but such a hard life indeed! Real poverty and still smiling people... they only have each other.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  21. Lieve Mariette,

    Weet je dat jou blogposten over India mij al dagenlang bezighouden......

    Onaanraakbaarheid? Discriminatie en vernedering van bepaalde
    kastengroepen, zoals de Dalits in India? Dat is toch zeker aan het
    verdwijnen, zeker in het democratische India dat snel moderniseert
    en een forse economische groei kent?

    Helaas...................................................... niks is minder waar.......

    Onaanraakbaar, in de dagelijkse praktijk
    Onderzoek toont aan dat onaanraakbaarheid,
    in India wettelijk verboden sinds de invoering
    van de grondwet in 1950, nog steeds dagelijkse
    realiteit is voor miljoenen Dalits.

    Als je Dalit in India bent…

    • Kun je verwachten dat je vier jaar
    korter leeft dan andere mensen in India.

    • Zullen er van iedere 100 kinderen die geboren
    worden in je gemeenschap, twaalf
    overlijden vóór hun vijfde verjaardag.

    • Kun je verwachten dat de helft van je
    kinderen ondervoed is.

    • Zal slechts één van de vijf kinderen hun
    school afmaken, slechts de helft zal kunnen
    lezen en schrijven (terwijl dat voor tweederde
    van de rest van de Indiërs geldt).

    • Heb je de kans van 1 op de 600 om af te
    studeren. Ben je een vrouw: dan 1 op 1200.

    • Zal eenderde van de vrouwen in je dorp
    bloedarmoede hebben.

    • Heb je vier keer zoveel kans in een vorm van
    moderne slavernij aan het werk te worden
    gesteld, net als de 24,4 miljoen andere
    gebonden Dalit-arbeiders.

    Bron: IDSN folder ‘Cast an eye on the Dalits of India’

    Iedereen zou de informatie achter deze link eens moeten lezen
    en er zullen hopelijk veel ogen open gaan!!!


    http://www.dalits.nl/pdf/onaanraakbaar.pdf

    Lieve groet,Ger




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lieve Ger,
      Helaas gaan mijn posten NIET over de Dalits... Er komen nog 2 afleveringen en dan zul je het kunnen lezen op 27 februari.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  22. Hello Mariette,
    Oh dear, imagine living in such mud....
    Unfortunately, they know nothing else.
    It must have been a cock to Pieter too...
    Thanks for sharing these moments with us :)
    Keep well, enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Noushka,
      You are so right! Such a view was so gripping for Pieter! Unfortunately, this noble joint program for cooperation in India's horticultural areas, that diplomatically was prepared by Prince Claus of The Netherlands, did not work out because of the disputes between Hindus and Muslims. And even worse, but that you can read as this week progresses...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...

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