Wildlife Message 2008

Richness

Friday, 26 September 2008

Dear friend,

Many times I have wondered as to what is richness, who is a rich man? Is it only the money that makes a man rich? All of us tend to believe that a person who lives in a city earns a lot of money, builds large mansions, attends posh parties, shops a lot and leads a glamourous life. So he is a rich man. And a farmer who lives in a village is naturally poor.

When you happen to visit a friend in a city, there is a palpable change in the attitude of your host. Apart from looking into your daily needs, his daily routine and programmes change. Your host will be eagerly waiting for you to quit! In addition, you have to go to city with a heavy purse too!

On the other hand, have you visited your friend living in a village? Wow! How happy his whole family is! He does not have to bother about water, grains, vegetables, milk or poultry. They are aplenty. You do not have to open your purse. You can spend all your time amid nature, forget your botherations entirely. And when you depart, your host invariably laments: friend, it is as if you came yesterday, you could have stayed for a few more days!

What a contrast! A farmer has to look into the daily needs of not only his kith and kin but also the labourers who work with him, the cattle, poultry and other domestic animals. More over the trees that he has planted in his farmland shelter and nurture innumerable lifeforms. In a sense he has a large extended family. Every one leads a happy, secure and contented life under one village farmer!

Now tell me: who is really rich? I feel that the simplicity and generosity of a true farmer are the virtues for us to follow.

Let us join hands to make our only Earth, a place where all elements of life can live in health, happiness and harmony.

Thank you.

Dr. S V narasinhan

VIRAJPET 571 218 India.

drnsimhan@yahoo.com,

90087 38258

Dear friend, more than 7000 individuals have received these Wildlife Message cards during the past 24 years and spread the wildlife messages thoughout the world. Our collective effort surely has brought a perceptible change in the mindset of people around us. The total number of cards has crossed the 50,000 mark. Please tell me your sincere opinion on this moment of great achievement.

The Wildlife Message Cards are individually hand-painted and sent free to individuals throughout the world to mark the Wildlife Week. Please write to the above address to be a proud recipient of these cards every year.

Total of hand-painted cards made: this year 2490; in 24 years 50,040.

Total recipients: this year 1230; in 24 years 7110.

Please send more stamps to reduce my burden on postage.