“
The
Ernakulam Market was a hub of activity. Bullock carts bringing vegetables and
fruits especially from Puthencruz, Kizhakkambalam and Muvattupuzha area were
unloading their goods on the eastern side of the market. What came to my mind
was how I used to try to hang behind these bullock carts on my way to church in
Muttuchira. Bullock carts were very
common there. They are rough and tough and they could withstand any hard
terrain. They do not require any formatted roads. Without much effort they can
move over pot holes, rubbles or even cross streams, hills and valleys.
The
development of industries necessitated the bringing of large quantity of raw
materials to the factories and the manufactured goods were to be transported to
wide markets and ports. The government invested huge amounts to build national
highways, bridges and other tarred macadamized road net works to make
transportation easier. The bullock carts were substituted by heavy trucks and
buses to speed up the transport of goods and passengers.
However,
it is significant to keep and maintain the ancient know-how which may be useful
in case of a calamity. The government should take care to preserve the manual
skills and the skilled for the future generations to come. The highly qualified
technocrats and technicians among the Amish People of the United States of
America still preserve their ancient knowledge, expertise and skill. They feel
that someday they may require all of them. Beware when culture blossoms into
civilization, there may be chance for a fall.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@google.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
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