“I grew up spending long days with my grandparents on the farm, watching them work with the soil and learning things without even realising it. Later, life took me in a completely different direction — NGOs, then a catering supervisor job with a big airline. It all looked perfect from the outside, but inside, I felt like I was running without purpose. Every day felt like the same race, and I didn’t see myself in it anymore.

So in 2013, I did the one thing people usually think about but rarely do — I quit. No plan, no second thoughts. I resigned first and told my wife after. She didn’t even ask why. She just said, ‘Okay, if this is what you want.’ That one moment of trust changed everything.

I went back to my village, Paalaguttapalle, and returned to the only work that ever felt real — farming. Today, I’m part of the Zero Budget Natural Farming program, learning from community elders and growing food the way nature intended.

My wife, Uma, started stitching sustainable cotton bags under the name Paalaguttapalle Bags. On some days she’s helping me in the field, on other days she’s preparing natural dyes or finishing orders. Between both of us, our home slowly became a small ecosystem built around sustainability.

Our kids are growing up seeing all this — the compost pits, the small garden full of seasonal vegetables, the way we reuse everything. They ask questions, they try their hands at farming, and that makes us hopeful.

We’re not changing the world. We’re just trying to live without damaging it. After years of feeling like we were part of the problem, it feels good to finally be part of the healing… even if our contribution is tiny.”

• N Balaji