Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 7: The All-India Mission Seminary (AIMS) of the Society of Pilar, in training its future priests through the Pilar Theological Institute (PTI), have always emphasised on contextual theology. An important activity that the seminarians of AIMS engage at the outset of the monsoon season is cultivating paddy and other vegetables.
This year too, the seminarians studying at the PTI ventured into the fields after their theology classes. It was a diverse group of second, third-and fourth-year students belonging to the Society of Pilar, dioceses of Dumka and Daltonganj in Jharkhand; Purnia and Patna in Bihar; and Krishnagar in West Bengal. Except for a few, most of them had previous experiences of cultivating paddy.
Prabhu Prakash, a second-year student belonging to the diocese of Patna said that 'engaging in planting paddy was an act of solidarity with the ‘Annadata’ – the farmers who toil day in and day out to provide for our sustenance'. He further said that 'cultivating paddy made me reflect on the inherent dignity and worth of farmers who are often marginalized in society'.
The students of theology who cultivated paddy on over two acres of land are given an opportunity to view agriculture as a practical application of theological principles, particularly those related to stewardship, justice and compassion. Aston Carvalho, a third-year student and a member of the Society of Pilar had this to say, “This experience taught us invaluable lessons about the importance of teamwork, patience, and perseverance." He further said that 'it brought about a sense of our stewardship towards nature and I hope that our collective efforts will yield a bountiful harvest'.
Reflecting upon his experience of transplanting paddy, Markus Tudu, a second-year student, belonging to the diocese of Dumka said, "We are intrinsically connected to mother earth - we are formed of the earth, live on the earth, and one day mingle with the earth. When we take care of the earth, the earth will take care of us." Theologising on the experience of paddy cultivation Sailesh Gavit, a fourth-year student from Nagar Haveli belonging to the Society of Pilar said, “We do the tilling of the land and farming but it is God who gives the growth and fruits."
The Society of Pilar has been involved in agricultural development and revival right from the beginning. Fr Remedios do Rosario Gomes, a member of the Society of Pilar from Chandor, who carried out missionary work in Panchwaddi, Shiroda, Monki (Canara) and Honawar, taught the people of his parish how to cultivate paddy fields. In Pilar, Goa, he converted the undeveloped land into fertile land to grow paddy. Seeing this extraordinary agricultural development, the Portuguese government in 1954, through its agricultural department, awarded Fr Gomes with ‘Golden ear of corn’ (a plaque with an ear of corn made of gold), and cash, for developing agricultural production. Another illustrious farmer and a member of the Society of Pilar was Fr Inacio Almeida from Macasana, Goa. He studied agriculture at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan.
On his return to Goa, he developed all the agricultural properties and fields of the Society of Pilar. He was given the epithet ‘Dharti Mata’ because of his great love for the mother earth and environment. Fr Almeida, during his stay in Collem, taught Gonvlli and Dhangars new techniques and methods of farming to improve the crop yield. Recognising his social work among the tribals, in 1984 the government of Goa awarded him with ‘Somaz Sevok Puroskar’ (Social worker Prize). In the same year, upon noticing his efforts towards the development of Agriculture, he was awarded ‘Utkruxtt Xetkari’ (Best Farmer) by the government of Goa. Two years later, Zuari Agro Chemicals, the fertilizer company, at a function especially held to honour the farmer priest, awarded him with ‘Krishi Samraat’. Fr Inacio who was a missionary farmer. He was concerned for the poor and the disadvantaged. Through the agricultural activities he proclaimed the Word of God.