Puttur: How many of us would quit a lucrative job abroad to return to India and do something really offbeat? Not many for sure, but Partha Varanashi did follow his heart and what he has achieved is marvelous.
He preferred agriculture on one side and adventurous sport on the other to establish an agri-sport farm to nurture young minds and to shape them as ‘sportive agriculturists’ of future. The farm at Adyanadka near Vittal draws young enthusiastic children who like to unravel the mysteries of nature.
Launch pad
Partha’s love for agriculture is probably in his blood. Grandson of Varanashi Subraya Bhat, founder of CAMPCO and son of Varanashi Krishnamurthy, an agri-scientist, Partha could not escape farming. This familial background helped Partha work on his dream and establish the unique farm that upholds sustainable development without causing environmental damage.
Modern day youth get stay put to high-paying jobs the world offers. Partha, though worked for a well known company, Lyreco in Australia, preferred nature and ocean activities during his stay in Adelaide. During his stay therehe not only won medals in swimming but turned out to be an excellent swimming coach. During weekend outing, he dreamt to recreate what he had seen there, in his home town. When he returned in 2012, he started Balavana and trained many children in swimming. Most of his youth trainees have garnered medals at national and international level swimming meets.
Nurturing tender minds
Children though enthusiastic and attentive can get distracted very fast. Drawing them isn’t an easy task when one talks of organic farming which most find boring at an early stage of life. His novel idea of merging sport with agriculture has really taken off! He started Stoked India Adventures an exclusive water sport academy. Cycling through slushy mud paths, boat ride in a lake and tree house climb is the bait which children long to latch on, to escape from routine. The numbers are growing with 10000 children from and India and abroad having completed their farm visit.
Farm as an activity APP store
Adyandaka farm is an APP store with innumerable activities to choose from. Agricultural camp, boat camp, camp fire, tight rope walking, mountain biking trails, bouldering, surf camp, treasure hunt, Geo caching, cliff jumping, snorkeling and the list goes on. Most children at Balavana swimming centre are well versed in most of the ‘theme building activities’ and the training that goes into it.
It’s kind of fairy tale experience for the budding young children, where a lake, little mountain, small cliff, plant nursery create immense opportunities to explore the unknown. The advantages of organic farming are on live display for children to become sportive agriculturists during their fun on the run stay at the farm. Organic farming, first employed in 1993, and then on, cow dung and the organic waste in compost form have replaced harmful chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Takeaways
The tiny steps and the cycle tyre parks on the muddy little paths of the farm provide substantial evidence for all enthusiasts in farming. The natural bonding among children irrespective of their lineage is a treat to watch. Plans are afoot to employ sport implements in farming is on the anvil to make farm stay an enjoyable experience.
Tech Savvy modern generation can savour a tasty organic dish on their wayback and remember Partha’s ‘ploughman-go’ game forever!
