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Tushar Kelkar is an organic farmer and eco-architect. He is a jovial, strong and energetic young man who has led his life with much intention and integrity. He and his family have tried their best to be self-reliant by working hard.
He completed a two-year, self-designed learning program in Udaipur at Swaraj University through which he learned about various social movements around the world, importance and practices of organic farming and eco-architecture. He has undertaken several natural building projects as a consultant and an architect. He also got connected to various other initiatives and a good network of people through which he keeps drawing inspiration.
In 2014, Tushar started his farm space in his village – Atmatrupti (between Pune and Bombay) – where he has built eco-friendly houses and does farming with the intention of promoting eco-tourism, eco-construction and organic farming practices like permaculture. He also intends to create local market for farm produce.
The following are some recent incidents from his life –
During the Covid-lockdown, a cyclone named Nisarga hit the west coast of India near Mumbai in early June and caused heavy rainfall in the region. Around that time, a hut made of natural materials at Atmatrupti farm collapsed as it got drenched in the rain. Optimistic Tushar started constructing the hut again; and this time with a better and sturdier design. By mid-July he had already built the foundation.
Soon after that his wife got diagnosed with TB of the uterus. Tushar had put a lot of his savings in to building the house again and he soon ran out of money for wife’s treatment. Some of his friends from his village and Swaraj University stepped in to support him with this.
But this is not where challenges stopped, his mother is due for an eye operation of the cataract because she’s losing her eye sight. Now, all of the responsibilities of the farm, of the house, of his 4-year old son, of finances and of travelling to Pune for treatments have all come onto him now. He’s running out of finances soon again and he needs help.
He shares on how he’s doing amidst all this, “I’m strong still. But somewhere within I’m also beginning to feel weak as I think about how will things get managed.” He also shared, “I feel grateful to the Swaraj experience though because I’m so patient amidst all this chaos. I am able to see my mother and wife get cranky and irritable. But I can listen to them in such situations, see their perspective and not react on them.”
Tushar is seeking financial support now for whoever can and in whatever capacity. The fundraised money will be used for medical expenses and his travel to Pune city (to-and-fro). His mother's operation is a simpler process, which is a one-time operation and visit to the hospital.
But his wife's condition is a bit critical and before the operation there are several visits needed to the hospital.
It is sad but also insightful to see many people who have excellent intentions for the world – like Tushar - who are trying to live an eco-friendly and conscious life – are in reality struggling to have the basic security and safety for themselves and their families.
If you want to contact him personally, here are his contact details -
He completed a two-year, self-designed learning program in Udaipur at Swaraj University through which he learned about various social movements around the world, importance and practices of organic farming and eco-architecture. He has undertaken several natural building projects as a consultant and an architect. He also got connected to various other initiatives and a good network of people through which he keeps drawing inspiration.
In 2014, Tushar started his farm space in his village – Atmatrupti (between Pune and Bombay) – where he has built eco-friendly houses and does farming with the intention of promoting eco-tourism, eco-construction and organic farming practices like permaculture. He also intends to create local market for farm produce.
The following are some recent incidents from his life –
During the Covid-lockdown, a cyclone named Nisarga hit the west coast of India near Mumbai in early June and caused heavy rainfall in the region. Around that time, a hut made of natural materials at Atmatrupti farm collapsed as it got drenched in the rain. Optimistic Tushar started constructing the hut again; and this time with a better and sturdier design. By mid-July he had already built the foundation.
Soon after that his wife got diagnosed with TB of the uterus. Tushar had put a lot of his savings in to building the house again and he soon ran out of money for wife’s treatment. Some of his friends from his village and Swaraj University stepped in to support him with this.
But this is not where challenges stopped, his mother is due for an eye operation of the cataract because she’s losing her eye sight. Now, all of the responsibilities of the farm, of the house, of his 4-year old son, of finances and of travelling to Pune for treatments have all come onto him now. He’s running out of finances soon again and he needs help.
He shares on how he’s doing amidst all this, “I’m strong still. But somewhere within I’m also beginning to feel weak as I think about how will things get managed.” He also shared, “I feel grateful to the Swaraj experience though because I’m so patient amidst all this chaos. I am able to see my mother and wife get cranky and irritable. But I can listen to them in such situations, see their perspective and not react on them.”
Tushar is seeking financial support now for whoever can and in whatever capacity. The fundraised money will be used for medical expenses and his travel to Pune city (to-and-fro). His mother's operation is a simpler process, which is a one-time operation and visit to the hospital.
But his wife's condition is a bit critical and before the operation there are several visits needed to the hospital.
It is sad but also insightful to see many people who have excellent intentions for the world – like Tushar - who are trying to live an eco-friendly and conscious life – are in reality struggling to have the basic security and safety for themselves and their families.
If you want to contact him personally, here are his contact details -
Phone: +91-9545675871
Email: kelkar.tushar899@gmail.com
Please support Tushar also by spreading the word about it. Thank you!
P.S. Tushar actually has a project for eco-construction lined-up which is based in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh and which can earn him some money. But given the situation at home, he can’t travel for the project.
Please support Tushar also by spreading the word about it. Thank you!
P.S. Tushar actually has a project for eco-construction lined-up which is based in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh and which can earn him some money. But given the situation at home, he can’t travel for the project.
