ORPHANED by S.L. BHYRAPPA

Author:S.L. BHYRAPPA [BHYRAPPA, S.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rupa Publications
Published: 2019-11-30T18:30:00+00:00

VOLUME 11

1

When the season’s potatoes were harvested and sold, nine-and-a-half thousand rupees remained after deducting the expenses towards seeds, manure, fuel for the tractor and pump, and wages for the servants. It was the first crop on the farm. Both Kalinga and Hilda were convinced that as the land became better, the crop yield would increase and greater profits would ensue. Because he got bulk business, a speculative businessman from the district who shipped to Mumbai gave thirteen-thousand-two-hundred rupees and put the entire potato harvest in sacks and took them away in a lorry.

The day after she came here, Hilda had minutely tested the quality of soil in every part of the farmland. Although she largely agreed with the test results Kalinga had made earlier, she also demonstrated to him that some of his decisions were incorrect. After considering the general climate of the region and the climatic conditions in different months, they decided to plant cotton in one half of the field and in the other half, Virginia tobacco that was used in cigarettes. Kalinga went to the District Agricultural Cooperative Society, took their advice and brought back the seeds and manure that he needed.

From the day the potato was harvested, Jamal was cultivating the land by driving the tractor for eight hours daily. When he needed rest, Hilda would drive it. And so, the soil was much purer this time.

After the cotton and tobacco were planted and the saplings began to sprout, Kalinga and Hilda had some free time to begin to think about other things. One day, Hilda returned from a stroll in the pasture beyond the road and said: ‘The grass in that pasture is of ordinary variety. If optimum manure is given and arrangements are made for water, we can grow better quality grass in that place. In the same land, we can rear some seventy–eighty cattle.’

‘We need capital to do all that. We can start that once we get the money we’ve invested in this cotton and tobacco. First we need to erect a fence for the pasture. Then we need to run the tractor, cultivate the land and then plant new grass. But before that, we need to make arrangements for water.’

Hilda estimated the cost for all of this and said: ‘We’ve paid up the instalment for the government loan. That apart, we’ll be left with three thousand after deducting the expenses till the cotton and tobacco are ready for harvest. Check the grains and pulses in the house in the village and sell it off. Even if that won’t be enough, you said there’s some gold at home—sell that. What’s the use of that meaningless capital called gold—it doesn’t contribute to any profit?’

‘I can sell the grains. But my mother won’t stay quiet if I try to go near the gold. She might rake up a huge ruckus throughout the village.’

‘My dear, this country won’t progress’, Hilda conveyed her verdict. Kalinga too, agreed.

The sale of the grain that remained after setting aside the quantity required till the next harvest, yielded two thousand rupees.

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