Thotshots 2: Baleshwar, Odisha

What do you do when floods destroy your crops year after year? Well, in Baleshwar (or Balasore), they converted it to an opportunity and took to fish farming. 

Last time I shared my thotshots from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Now, far from the sand and the camels, I was in Odisha to cover the fishery development project of Nalanda Foundation.

At a place where people didn't just eat but practically lived fish, as a vegetarian, I was probably out of my depth. Yet, the locals were very happy to share their stories.

So, here is the second edition of Thotshots (personal thoughts, random shots) from Baleshwar, Odisha. 

FROM ADVERSITY … Frequent floods, tracts of lands submerged for most of the year, crops that don’t get a chance to thrive, resigned farmers who let fish grow in the water for an occasional meal, livelihood a daily challenge …

... TO OPPORTUNITY: Turning the wet conditions into an advantage, scientific fish farming in specially-built ponds, bonus income from the vegetables and fruits thriving on the fertile banks. An early adapter is seen on on his mandatory inspection of the pond.

For the fish farmers here, the yield does not just provide food for today. It also helps build the future. When someone poisoned all the fish at night, this whole family had to pitch in to restock the pond. What he is holding is not a basket of fish but fees for his hotel management course.

Can she do all that he can? Of course! But it is always nice to have a hand to drag in the net, heavy with fish. As for feeding the fish, all the women love to do it!

He or she? Who is the real farmer? He has the time and inclination to travel and handle the heavy lifting. She has the home and the pond to run, with love, on time, day after day. She is happy giving him all the credit; he is proud that she is independent. So, the winner? Both!

There is more to life than fishing. These are some of the supermen who work tirelessly to prevent accidents on the highway. And should one happen, they are the best bet to save a life. They treasure their badges, which they believe gives them the power to handle a great responsibility.