LIFE IN A SRI LANKAN VILLAGE

     The day dawned clear and bright. I awoke, feeling happy and excited. That day, I was to go Meemure on a camp as a part of the NCC training. Meemure is a small village on the outskirts of Kandy. 30 of us cadets met at the bus stand. Amidst great hustle and bustle, we boarded the bus, gingerly threading our way through baskets and bags of vegetables and what not cluttered the passage. Only a few found seats. I noticed the villagers staring at us with frank curiosity. Maybe it was our uniform that caught their attention. As we left the crowded streets of the city, the scenery changed to one with hills and greenery all around. To pass time we sang songs, cracked jokes and made a lot of fun. Before we realized we had reached our destination, the journey was over. 

     We looked around and found a good place to camp, a small distance away from the village proper, and set up our tents. All the time a band of village urchins was following us. A few brave ones even darted in and out of the tents giggling amongst themselves. 

     After a wash and snack we went to meet the people of the village. They welcomed us and entertained us to a lovely feast of meals and fresh fruits. They then took us around the village. Huts made of mud and straw were found all around.  A few one storeyed dwellings were also there, with cows and buffaloes kept on the ground floor. The villagers talked with us with open friendliness. They were full of questions about the city, and about our own activities. 

     Back at the camp, as we rested for the night, I was struck by the absolute calm of the place. Oh, what a great bliss it was to get away from the unending stream of cars and trucks continuously blaring their horns even if it was only for a few days. The peace and tranquillity we experienced was really welcome. 

     Next day we awoke to the sound of the village cock. We washed at a brook rumbling nearby, with clear and cool water fit to drink and cook with. The villagers insisted on cooking our meals for us and would not take 'no' for an answer. 

     We toured the village again, visiting the many places. Then we went to few houses and were really surprised that they had electricity, radio sets and even television provided by the Government for the whole village. 

     The chief occupation of the village was, of course, agriculture. A number of crops were grown and sold in the cities. I was delighted to see tube wells sprinklers and fertilizers being used by the farmers. Truly, the villagers were progressing towards a good future. The men left their homes at dawn to work in the fields, coming home only for lunch and some rest, returning again to till the soil until dusk. The women helped them during the harvesting of the crops. They also sold their handcrafts to a local cottage industry, thus contributing their share to the family income. 

     The next day, much to our delight there was a village fair. It was held at the village temple. The villagers were attired in their finest clothes and full finery. They first prayed at the temple, then surged towards the temporary huts which were proved to be a chief attraction of the fair. The shop keepers were selling just about anything, ranging from wheat, rice, potatoes, vegetables and fruits to ribbons, pins and sweets. What a joyful atmosphere was there, with young boys screaming, laughing, running here and there and the girls having a good time trying out new, colorful clothes. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 

     Then it was time for us to leave. The week had passed so quickly. All left with a heavy heart but full of rich and impressive. The simple, loving nature of the villagers and their hospitality really captured our hearts.