The Loss

The realisation of Development even in our little village of Puthupady.. Memories of the enthusiastic paddy workers sowing rice in those verdant fields and fertile green lands, us kids mucking about with them in the muddy fields, fishing along the streams, diving off spring board tree branches in the river as one of granny's trusted servants taught us to swim by throwing us in the monsoon bloated river..All that has been replaced with a certain grimness, land sharks have developed the paddy into villa and bungalows, while the paddy workers have gone on to earn mega bucks in the city working for the real êstate honchos. None of that simplicity and rustic charm left. It's all about the money buddy! Its only Money that makes the world go round. I still remember the barter times... The paddy workers came because they got.a year's worth free grain and food for their family at home and gran used to trade her rice and coconuts for meat and things. How the times they are a changing