“My roots are firmly in the ground, where my ancestors’ blood, sweat and tears can be found
Ritu Bhathal
I can’t leave this week with just one line.
Have you read about the protest happening in India, right now? It is the biggest peaceful protests in human history, yet it has not been publicised on Western Media channels.
250 MILLION people, farmers from all corners of India, but starting from the Punjab, have been walking to Delhi, to stand up to the PM, Modi, and his government.
And they march, peacefully, to dispute three bills that have been passed. Bills that will kill farming, if they stay.
I am no expert, but here are some simple slides on Insta that may help.
Peaceful protests, yet they are facing police brutality, and water cannons. These same people are the ones offering tired and hungry police officers on duty, food and water. Any media that has been put out there seems to have been tampered with, or used out of context, to make the farmers look aggressive and unruly, but the reality is totally different.
I come from the Punjab, originally. My ancestors worked hard, and we still have family there, farming the land. They worked hard, to send other members of the family out into the world. My family ended up in Kenya, where they farmed some more. True, I don’t live a farming life, and I never had, but it is thanks to my ancestors, and their hard work, that I am where I am, today.
Otherwise I might have been one of those women marching, peacefully, among the millions of others.
Protesting for rights, a minimum wage, and to waive away the threat of having ancestral land snatched away…
I wrote a poem.
I always do.
If you kept reading this far, I hope you read, and feel, it.
My roots are firmly in the ground Where my ancestors’ blood, sweat and tears can be found Through me runs the blood of a Punjabi Kisaan His livelihood, his family and farm Those humble beginnings bore fruit untold Backbreaking work, and dreams so bold Those dreams sent our people far and wide Farming the world with our family pride My roots are firmly in the ground Where my ancestors’ blood, sweat and tears can be found Yet now Indian farmers suffer, in silence Protesting in peace, requesting no violence Ancestral rights being swiped from the souls Of farmers in India’s very own ‘Food Bowl’ Poverty beckoning, no-one listening Men, women, children march, tears glistening Soldiering on, just wanting their rights Instead, the Police tries to provoke fights My roots are firmly in the ground Where my ancestors’ blood, sweat and tears can be found They only want fairness and the right to live Come on Modi, start talking, you need to give BLM happened – the world was involved But what about now? Responsibility absolved? I sit in comfort, lamenting the news But to sit quietly, that I refuse My roots are firmly in the ground Where my ancestors’ blood, sweat and tears can be found
For Linda’s One Liner Wednesday Challenge -Though this time it’s not one line…
But I Smile Anyway... 
Dec 12, 2020 @ 19:40:15
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Dec 10, 2020 @ 13:10:40
Ritu, peaceful protests get underreported. It goes against the “if it bleeds, it leads” news reporting. Here, some view the BLM movement as violent, yet the significant majority has been multi-cultural and peaceful. Even some police officers of all races have joined in. Some pseudo-news sources only reported when a few protests became violent, due to the actions of a very few. Violence is not the answer. Keith
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Dec 10, 2020 @ 19:10:39
Violence is not the answer, you are right, Keith. And I know that BLM was, and is, by and large a peaceful movement. This is just crazy that it is the biggest protest in human history, and still, hardly anyone out of the communities affected knew about it. And the thing is, the effects are far-reaching. Global, even, as so much of the produce, goes international…
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Dec 10, 2020 @ 02:44:35
This is a wonderful piece, Ritu. Thank you for sharing the news about the protest in India — you’re right, it hadn’t hit my radar here in the Western news.
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Dec 10, 2020 @ 06:54:43
Thank you for taking the time to read, Laura 💜
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Dec 10, 2020 @ 00:40:38
May I use the quote above on my blog. It’s really cool
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Dec 10, 2020 @ 06:55:15
Absolutely, Tony 💜🙏🏽
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:22:22
It featured on the World at One on the Beeb today so it is getting more publicity here. A few MPs have been rattling Raab’s cage to get the Foreign Office to do something though I’d doubt he’d do much given how we seem to in fawning mode when it comes to the super powers and making a moral point. The poem is excellent and I can quite understand how it must trigger your fury. Keep making your point.
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:44:41
Thank you His Geoffleship.
A classic clip from parliament is doing the rounds right now, where Slough’s Sikh MP, Tanmanjeet Dhesi, raised it to BoJo today, regarding the protests and the farmers, and BoJo’s response shows just how much the man listens. He responded with something along the lines of ‘we understand about the India Pakistan thing…’ Not even the issue!!!
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:21:39
You are right about Western culture largely ignoring the protests. It seems a bit selfish not to be aware of problems around the world. Your poem is touching and filled with passion.
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:52:55
Thank you Pete.
I think it won’t hit home until regular things the western world takes for granted as being available readily, start to dwindle, like spices, and even medications made in India. Then they’ll take note. 🙏🏽
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:10:54
Wonderful writing Ritu !! 🙂
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:19:29
Thaank you Nima 🙂
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Dec 10, 2020 @ 07:53:13
Welcome dear Ritu 😄
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:09:03
❤
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:19:17
❤
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:06:04
So sad dear Ritu, your poem so impressive too. I do pray for them dear, Thank you, Love, nia
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 20:19:12
Thank you, Nia, prayers are needed for them all ❤
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 19:33:54
Beautiful poem Sis yes I had heard . Sadly it down to currupt, politians, currupt local officials and currupt police. As usual the poor and honest suffer…. May their god’s help them. Sadly as bad as the Russians and the Chinese . Those with always oppress those without.💜
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 19:36:46
So, so sad, Sis. It maakes my blood boil… ❤
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 19:31:32
Yes, I feel it Ritu, and my blood boils. Each one who eats food needs to respect the rights of farmers.
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 19:36:25
Absolutely, Balroop. It is amazing how few people know about this, considering it is the biggest protest in human history, and so important. We all need our Kisaan ❤
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 18:44:37
An excellent poem that says it all.
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Dec 09, 2020 @ 18:54:30
Thank you so much, Darlene 🙏🏽💜
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