The Wisdom Of The Ancients - The Peepal Tree And It's Social Significance As A Meeting Place

Image credit: traveltalesfromindia.in

You have probably seen it in countless Indian movies. The peepul or banyan is the centre of the village’s social life. Pretty much everybody has to stop by them in the course of a day’s work, and people stop by to chat and exchange news and gossip. The village vagabonds, sleep underneath it. The gamblers sit and play their cards over a glass of tea. Often times, this is where the sarpanch (village headman) holds his meetings. This is a place where everybody is recognised. It is a place where everybody’s story is told and heard. It is a place where everybody has a voice. 

We often woefully bemoan the loss of the wholesome foods, fresh air and healthy lifestyle of country living and of days gone by. But we completely forget that one of the reasons why our forefathers were strong and resilient could be this social system. In their day, not everybody was part of a joint family - there were people even then, who went elsewhere in search of a livelihood. But everybody was part of a community. Wherever people lived, they were not islands of social isolation as we are today. People knew each other. They knew each others’ problems and struggles. They shared each others’ joys and sorrows. When a child was born or a wedding took place, the whole village came together. 

Maybe I romanticise. But what if we can turn today’s mechanical socially isolated life on its head. What if we came together to chat over a hot cuppa once in a while like those villagers of old? Would not strangers become friends? Would we not be building bridges instead of walls? Would we still struggle with depression and other modern maladies if we had the same kind of support system to draw strength and camaraderie from as our ancestors? 

Would we be stronger or weaker for the effort? What do we have to lose? Social Therapy is a simple concept: We meet once a week to make friends and chat over a cup of coffee. We share our stories, problems and goals and listen to each other without judging. We try to support and encourage each other sincerely, as good friends do. 

If you are in Bangalore and need a friend, drop in for a chat. 

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