If you had a freeway billboard, what would it say?
The narrative describes a picturesque road journey through a lush countryside and charming villages. It highlights the changing landscape from serene roads to bustling rural markets called “Haat.” The traveler enjoys the vibrant atmosphere of local life. They witness the blend of traditional and modern elements along the way. These include billboards showcasing social messages and local commerce. The journey reflects on the transformation of rural areas with improved infrastructure, as well as the nostalgia of simpler times. Ultimately, this exploration culminates in a warm reunion with friends, celebrating connections amidst nature’s beauty.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The narrative details a picturesque road journey through lush countryside and bustling villages, capturing the vibrant local life.
- The traveler enjoys the scenery while reflecting on the blend of tradition and modernity, encountering lively rural markets called ‘Haat’.
- This exploration leads to a warm reunion with friends, celebrating connections and the beauty of nature.
- The journey illustrates the transformation of rural areas, showcasing improved infrastructure and a harmonious mix of nostalgia and progress.
- Ultimately, the trip evokes feelings of happiness and energy, reinforcing the idea of community and connection.
Pleasant morning
The morning was pleasant. After an intense cold, the weather became balmy. The sun was hanging on the east horizon, looking like a beautiful tangerine ball in the mildly cold, misty morning.
The road trip
The road was like a huge serpent, clean and shining black. It was a thoroughly enjoyable road journey through villages. The curvaceous expressway passed through lush green countryside.
(a) Enjoyable ride
Driving the car in a serene and verdant environment was an inexpressible experience. The road journey offers the scenic village, joy of riding, ease of travel, and a fresh mind. Billboards along the expressways show many vital informations about the distance, public utilities and the highest speed of the vehicle. It also cautions to have the tyre pressure a little less than prescribed. The friction and resultant heat generation increase the volume of the trapped air in the tyre. As a result, tyres can burst, causing mishaps.
(b) Greenfield expressway
The access-controlled, greenfield expressway ran through lush verdure and an eye-catching rustic view. Driving at a moderate speed, the smooth-running car is a pleasure. A green spot appeared at some distance. It progressively became large. Finally, it turned out to be a billboard informing that the toll plaza was a kilometre ahead. The car slowed down as it approached nearer to the toll plaza. The Fastag was scanned, and in a moment, the barrier lifted, giving way to the car.
(c) The highway
He crossed the toll plaza and travelled a few kilometres further. A billboard told the direction of the place he wanted to go. Taking the left, he came onto a link road which led to a highway. The highway was good and smooth, but there was a distinct difference. It often passed through habitable areas and villages having schools and small marketplaces known in the vernacular language “Haat”.
(d) Village market – “Haat”
Soon, the highway passed a “Haat”. A crowded and dusty place, the “Haat” was bustling with activities. It was an interesting place with a motley crowd of men, women and children who came from nearby areas. Riding on a tractor trolley, the group of people from several families were laughing and talking together. They were going to the “Haat” for pleasure and purchasing. He stopped for a while, parked the car a little distance away. Walking towards the “Haat”, he reached the venue to have a close look and explore.
(e) Local fun, frolic and trade
“Haat” was on a flat raised land. It was a fortnightly vibrant market where vegetables were piled up on the ground. Freshly dug potatoes, green leafy vegetables, roots, and tubers were on sale. Colourful veggies like red tomatoes, red green chillies, and violet brinjals painted a peculiar hue. Some local fruits added to the vibrant colours of the “Haat”. These and a lot of mixed noise made it a perfect rustic marketplace. Local food stalls and some toy vendors gave the whole market a fair-like ambience. Children were enjoying food-stuffs and play while their parents were busy bargaining with sellers. There was something for everyone.
(f) Vibrant gathering
The “Haat” used to be a colourful extravaganza for locals. Jugglers displaying their talent, walking on a tightrope, amusing the gathering. Squealing children enjoying “Bioscope”. It was a scenic hub of activities. Men, women, and children wearing various colourful dresses were enjoying, eating, and purchasing. After spending some enjoyable time, he resumed his journey.
Road and billboards
On the highway, the billboards were different. Some show the places and their names, while others were about social welfare and agro-based products. These included fertilisers, tractors, and occasionally jeeps and tyres. Government schemes and welfare programs were also displayed on some of them. He was driving slowly and cautiously, enjoying the view and the activities. Periodically stopping over at places of interest.
Rustic ambiance
The pleasurable road journey allows one to enjoy the village and its beauty. The area is intermittently dotted with trees and grazing cattle, with children trailing them. The urban effects were seen in the village life. Bullock carts were not seen; instead, tractors and trolleys were frequent. The road was not calm but buzzing with the whirling and growling of automobiles, trucks and buses. On the way, a billboard on a building attracted his attention. It was a moderate-sized building amid a green field with a fenced open space. The billboard was announcing that it was a marriage hall. It was surprising.
(a) Changing scenario
The usual sites of wells and water-fetching folks have been replaced by solar-powered pump sets and hand pumps. Large, cosy fruit-yielding mango orchards are cleared to create community and marriage halls. The clean and salubrious environment is replaced by an unorganised crowd of two and four-wheeled vehicles belching smoke and gases
(b) Contradiction
Yet another billboard caught his eye amidst the chaotic environmental situation. It displayed a message urging people to save trees and help clean the environment. A smile came to his lips extempore. There are, nonetheless, things that take time to mend their ways. Automated vehicles and their increased use have deteriorated the serene and pure rustic environment. Nevertheless, they have increased productivity. Additionally, they have saved labour. Machines are important, for they help humans save labour and time. They also carry out volumes of work with utmost accuracy and precision. Their side effects need to be addressed. It is being addressed.
(c) Transformation
After travelling a few kilometres further, he stopped by a pond. In the fast-changing rural life, the pond reminded him of his childhood days. It used to be a common rustic sight: a pond, a bamboo plantation and a few heaps of biodegradable composting. It is good that the unhygienic and easily manageable things are changing for good. Villages are being provided with CC drains and all-weather roads, along with electricity and provision for tap water.
The pond
The pond was beautiful to behold. It featured dense tufts of “Moonj” grass (Saccharum munja). A large and aged “Neem” (Azadirachta) tree stood nearby. Various wild plants and shrubs surrounded the area. The murky, calm water of the pond created a suitable environment for aquatic vegetation and fish. The water lilies were abundant. They covered a large part of the pond. Their pink and white flowers enhanced its beauty.
Beauty of Nature
The sun was almost at the head. It was 11:30 AM and the warmth of the sun was pleasantly cosy and comforting. The solar radiation added colour and vibrancy to the whole ambience of the pond. he scanned the atmosphere around. People were busy in their fields. A unique rustic fragrance from around was pleasing and nostalgic. The fields were carpeted with yellow mustard flowers. The sight in the spring sunshine was romantically intoxicating. He stayed glued to the site for a few moments. It gave him enormous joy. After enjoying the nectar of natural beauty, he returned to his car and cranked the engine. The engine growled, and the car rolled ahead.
Improved infrastructure
As the road advanced, it reached an “S” curve passing through a village. He slowed down the car, already running at a moderate speed. There was a clump of trees. He stopped and again scanned the area with appreciation. This is the joy of a road journey, which gives a chance to see the village. The transformation of the rural landscape was obvious. With the improved infrastructure, clean roads, potable drinking water, and electricity, the rustic life underwent a total transformation. Farmers can easily take their produce to the place where they want to sell it. (The Times of India)
Slogan
With the progression of villages, the country is advancing towards self-sufficiency and sustainability. A slogan flashed in his mind, which was reverberating in the ambience. It was “Transforming Rural Landscapes: Clean Roads, Selubrious environment and Progression.”
State of happiness
He felt buoyant and energetic. His mind was filled with positive thoughts. The sun was on its downward journey. He started his car. Soon, he arrived at the home of his friend, who had invited him to his native village. The familiar mass chirping of returning birds was indicating that crepuscule had set in.
Friend’s house
The car honked in front of the house. His friend came out smiling with his wife and a kid. They were very happy to see him. They exchanged pleasantries, and he gifted a few candies to the child. His friend escorted him to his house, which was on the side of a field. Both sat on the terrace facing the field and conversed. In the meantime, his friend’s wife joined. who came with a tray of tea and snacks. They all talked heartily till the sun set.
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