[Greenlist] Invitation to Learning Families gathering at Van Vadi, October 14 to 18

[Bodi Satva]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: bharat mansata <bharatmansata at yahoo.com>
Date: Oct 2, 2007 4:39 PM
Subject: Invitation to Learning Families gathering at
Van Vadi, October 14 to 18

 
Dear All, 
We are happy to invite you to a Learning Families
gathering and mini van-shram-utsav at Van Vadi from
October 14 (Sunday) to October 18 (Thursday), 2007. 
The past multi-generational gatherings of ‘Learning
Families’ have sought to self-create informal learning
opportunities in an ‘extended family environs’ and
spirit of community, sharing work, responsibility,
talents, skills, knowledge, ideas, stories,
inspiration and celebration. (Singing, music, dancing
are permitted!) 
A special enticement this time is the enchanted
environs of a lush forest with its brimming
water-bodies, singing birds, clear skies, 
 and near
total absence of civilizational sounds like horns and
motors. There is no TV within a mile! But also no
electricity or piped water. (A short note on Van Vadi,
its history, and how to get there is given below.
Several Van Vadi members have actively participated in
Learning Families’ gatherings – Vijaya, Naveena, Mona,
Vinita, Bharat, Rashmi, Bena, 
 and their children/
grand-children.) 
While retaining open, shared planning of voluntary
activities as in the past, we propose to include this
year some daily physical shram or labour, according to
individual capability. (Two hours per day for aduts,
and one hour per day for children is suggested.) 
The main shram proposed is in gardening and planting,
but some building work (on a house or water tank) is
also a possibility. When the land (Nature) gives so
much, it seems only fair to give back a little in
return; and ensure that we leave no negative trace
(like plastics, foils, cigarette butts, or
ill-feelings of any kind!) 
Since the forest environment is not free of hazards,
all participants are expected to look after
themselves, with parents and adults taking full
responsibility for their children and other
accompanying minors. 
The preparation of food will be on a shared, rotating
team basis, with everyone expected to participate.
Simple, wholesome (but tasty!) vegetarian/vegan food,
inclusive of some fruit and raw salads can be
expected. The food costs too will be shared.
Additionally, a daily contribution @ Rs 80 per
adult/teenager and Rs 40 per child (below 13 years) is
requested towards Van Vadi. (More is always welcome!) 
The accommodation will be rustic, as in a nature camp,
with no cots and only a roof and chatais provided. You
are thus requested to bring whatever else you may
need. The weather will be pleasant and moderate, with
a little nip in the air after 2 am. Besides your
sleeping/swimming  gear, clothes, etc., do carry a
flashlight, a water bottle, a plate and a mug/glass.
(Not forgetting music instruments and such like!) 
The mosquitoes on the land will have largely
disappeared by mid-October, at least in the dwelling
clearances. But for extra safety, you could bring a
mosquito net (or even your own tent). We shall try to
keep available some non-chemical, mosquito repellant
citronella oil. 
Considering this delayed invitation, we are not
expecting more than 35 people, including children. To
help us prepare suitably, we request you to confirm
your participation by the 9th October. 
Looking forward to see you! 
Warmly, 
Vinita & Bharat, Vidhi & Manish 
P.S. Our email contacts are:
vinitamansata at rediffmail.com, bharatmansata at yahoo.com,
 manish at swaraj.org, vidhib at yahoo.com 
Our phone contacts are: Kolkata – 033-22296551,
22276190; Udaipur – 0294- 2451303, 2452425 
  
Van Vadi 
  
Nestling in the foothills of the Sahyadris, Van Vadi
is a 64 acre forest-farm (more forest than farm) on
gently undulating land, with seasonal streams flowing
from June to October. It was purchased 14 years ago
with the pooled contributions of about 2 dozen people.
Over 80% of the area is under fairly dense (and highly
bio-diverse) tree cover, most of which has naturally
regenerated through protection. 
Originally named ‘Vision Acres’, the broad agreed aim
of the members was to “live close to the land in an
ethical and sustainable manner.” Progressive
self-reliance in basics, like food, was an important,
explicit goal. While members are supportive and share
expenses, the land – as of now – is mainly looked
after by local adivasi workers. 
A core guiding principle of the venture is earth-care.
More specifically, “at least half the land should
remain under tree cover; agro-chemicals prohibited;
water usage conservative; mono-cultures shunned, and
biodiversity aided through integration of various
edible and locally useful species, particularly
indigenous varieties, suited to existing conditions.” 
  
Getting There: 
Van Vadi is about 1.5 km from Vaara village (Dist.
Raigarh), which is about 15 km from Neral Station,
almost halfway from Mumbai to Pune. 
There are over 20 ‘local’ suburban trains a day from
Mumbai to Neral (on the Central Railway line, ending
at Karjat, 2 stations beyond Neral.) The journey takes
about an hour and forty-five minutes from Mumbai CST,
and 15 minutes less from Dadar station. 
>From Neral to Vaara village, there are more than a
dozen buses a day. Many auto-rickshaws too are
available (during daytime) near the Neral bus-stand, 
and would charge you Rs 80 to the Vaara bus stand, and
Rs 100 upto the small grill gate of Van Vadi (with a
sign-board in Hindi), going through Vaara village, and
turning right on the Vaara-Chinchwadi road. 
If you are driving from Bombay, it is best to come via
Karjat, taking the old Bombay-Poona highway, turning
left at Karjat Chowk, and proceeding a further 7 km or
so. (You will not pass Neral.) One km before reaching
Karjat town, you need to turn left, crossing the
bridge over Ulhas river, and again turn left, taking
the road to Kashele (18 kms from Karjat). At Kashele,
ask for the road which leads to Vaara – Kalamb –
Poshir. (Vaara is about 8 km from Kashele.) The
Vaara-Chinchwadi road leading to our land would then
be on your left, beside a roadside hand-pump, just
before Vaara village. (On this route, the roads are
excellent all the way from Bombay to Vaara, and
starting early in the morning, one can reach the land
in about 2 hours, without a stop.) 
  
  
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