Snakebite Safety Taught in Rural Schools
Recommended for Education
The Day of the Unexpected Visit
“Whoa, so you’re telling me, snakes can actually be good for the environment?” Ravi’s eyes widened as he looked at his best friend, Aarav, his eyes shining like the first ray of morning sunlight.
“Absolutely, Ravi. They control the population of other pests. They’re like the police of the animal kingdom,” Aarav replied, leaning back against the mango tree they were sitting under. Its branches spread out like welcoming arms, offering shade from the hot sun.
Ravi was about to ask another question when the sound of tires screeching against the gravel pathway interrupted him. Both boys looked toward the gate. A van adorned with pictures of various snake species and a big banner that announced “Madras Crocodile Bank takes snakebite awareness to rural schools,” had pulled into their school grounds.
“Looks like we’ve got special guests today,” Aarav said, pointing towards the van. They could already see the excitement buzzing among the students who had begun to assemble near the van.
Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, both boys joined the flock of students. Just as they reached, the door of the van opened, and out stepped Ms. Naidu and Mr. Gnaneshwar, both wearing khaki pants and green t-shirts with the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) logo.
“Good morning, kids! We’re here to talk about a serious issue that often gets swept under the rug—snakebite,” Mr. Gnaneshwar began, his voice calm but assertive. He carried a certain aura that demanded attention. “You see, snakebite is like accidentally stepping on a Lego. You didn’t intend for it to happen, but when it does, it hurts a lot and needs immediate attention.”
The crowd of students giggled, easing the heavy atmosphere just a tad. Though they were laughing, Ravi sensed that his classmates understood the gravity of the situation.
Ms. Naidu took the stage next, armed with a projector and slides showcasing images of snakes, snakebite symptoms, and first-aid techniques. “Today, we’ll learn how to identify the Big Four snakes in Tamil Nadu, differentiate them from their lookalikes, and bust some common myths about snakes.”
The images on the slides weren’t just pictures; they were windows to a world the students had never bothered to understand. There were vivid colors, intricate patterns, and close-up shots that revealed the beauty of these misunderstood creatures.
As the awareness program proceeded, the students were taught how to wrap a bandage, the do’s and don’ts after a snakebite, and the reality behind traditional methods of treatment. They even had a small quiz where Ravi got all the answers right, earning himself a mini first-aid kit as a prize.
As the program concluded, the weight of ignorance seemed to lift off Ravi’s shoulders. He felt enlightened, almost like he had been given a new lens to look at the world. “So, if a snake is the bad guy in the movies, it’s just a lot of misunderstanding,” he whispered to Aarav, who nodded in agreement.
“Exactly, buddy. In reality, blaming a snake for being evil is like blaming pyaj for making you cry when you’re the one cutting it. Pyaj is nothing but Hindi for onion, you know. Both are just doing what they’re supposed to do in nature.”
The MCBT team started packing up their equipment, their faces glowing with the satisfaction of having imparted valuable knowledge.
“Who knew that an unexpected visit could change our perspectives so much?” Ravi mused, holding his mini first-aid kit close to his chest.
“Yeah,” Aarav agreed, looking at the retreating van. “It’s funny how the thing you once feared can turn into a subject you can’t stop talking about.”
And they couldn’t. For the rest of the day, the snakebite awareness program became the hot topic of conversation, igniting the first sparks of change in the minds of the children who would become the village’s future.
The Rumor Mill and the Challenge
The buzz from the snakebite awareness program carried through to the next day. Ravi and Aarav found themselves surrounded by their school friends during recess, all eager to hear more about the Big Four snakes of Tamil Nadu and how to deal with snakebites.
“Let me get this straight,” said Vinay, one of their classmates, munching on a samosa. “You’re telling me that if I see a snake, I shouldn’t throw stones at it?”
“Exactly, Vinay. It’s like yelling at a cloud because you think it’ll rain. Totally useless and kind of unfair to the cloud—or snake, in this case,” Aarav explained.
Ravi and Aarav felt like they were on a mission. A mission to dispel myths, much like those heroes in comic books, except their enemy was ignorance. It felt good, like when you find an extra piece of candy in a pack you thought was empty.
“So, you’re saying that snakes are misunderstood creatures, like the nerdy kid in class who knows all the answers but no one wants to be friends with?” Ravi’s cousin, Riya, asked skeptically.
“Absolutely, Riya. Absolutely!” Aarav exclaimed, his face lighting up.
Despite their enthusiasm, the boys noticed that their message wasn’t reaching everyone. Especially the older villagers, who found it hard to shake off long-standing beliefs about snakes and snakebites. Word reached Ravi and Aarav that there had been some grumbling among the elders.
“These city folks know nothing,” Ramesh Chettiar, a respected elder in the village, grumbled to his fellow villagers. “For generations, we’ve been using our own methods to deal with snakebites. Why should we listen to them now?”
The rumor mill was swirling like a whirlpool, pulling in different opinions but spitting out mostly skepticism. The villagers felt their traditions were being questioned, and no one likes to be told they’ve been doing it wrong all this time.
It was then that Mr. Gnaneshwar, who had overheard some of these grumblings, decided to step in. “If you’re so confident about your methods, how about we challenge you to a duel of knowledge?”
“A duel of what now?” asked Ramesh, raising an eyebrow.
Mr. Gnaneshwar smiled. “A challenge, let’s say. We’ll present a snakebite awareness session for the entire village. If we can’t change at least one person’s mind, we’ll admit our methods are ineffective.”
A wave of whispers spread through the crowd. The villagers, huddled in small groups, debated among themselves. Some thought it was a good opportunity to prove that their methods were superior, while others were wary of the outcome.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ramesh Chettiar stood up and said, “Alright, challenge accepted. But remember, it’s not easy to change the mindset of a whole village.”
Mr. Gnaneshwar nodded. “We’ll do our best, and that’s all anyone can do. Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow.”
As Ravi and Aarav heard about the challenge, they felt both excited and anxious. It was like standing at the edge of a high diving board for the first time. Scary, but the thrill was irresistible. They knew that the upcoming challenge was more than just a duel of knowledge. It was a duel for change, and they couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.
The Village Comes Together
On the day of the challenge, the atmosphere was electric. The village square, normally a quiet open space, was bustling with chatter and anticipation. People brought wooden stools from their homes, set up makeshift benches, and children climbed onto low-hanging tree branches for a better view.
Mr. Gnaneshwar and Ms. Naidu stood at the makeshift stage, made from wooden planks and covered with colorful cloth. As they set up their projector and charts, whispers floated in the air, and questions abounded. Would these outsiders really change the views held by the village for generations?
Mr. Gnaneshwar took the stage first. He adjusted the microphone and looked into the crowd. “I know changing long-held beliefs is hard. It’s like trying to change the direction of a river that has been flowing the same way for years. But snakebite awareness is not an option; it’s a necessity. It’s as important as knowing the back of your own hand. We live with snakes; they’re a part of your environment.”
He then proceeded to show a short documentary film, featuring testimonials from families who had lost loved ones to snakebites. The film ended with a message: snakebites are both avoidable and treatable, if only the correct steps are taken.
After the film, Ms. Naidu took over. With an inviting smile, she asked, “Who here has a first-aid kit at home?” A few hands shot up. She then demonstrated how to prepare a snakebite first-aid kit using everyday household items like bandages, antiseptics, and a clean cloth.
“Think of this kit as your safety net, like a helmet when you’re riding a bike. You hope you never have to use it, but it’s good to have just in case.”
Ms. Naidu also used this opportunity to debunk several long-standing myths about snakebites. She even had some of the children act out what NOT to do if bitten by a snake, adding a sense of humor to a grave topic. The crowd seemed more engaged, and a few nodding heads indicated that the message was beginning to resonate.
As Ms. Naidu stepped back and the applause subsided, Ravi felt his heartbeat accelerate. He stood up, his palms sweaty but his resolve firm. He looked at his parents, at Aarav, and then at Uncle Ramesh.
“Uncle Ramesh, remember when I fell off my bike last month? You were the one who told me that sometimes, we have to unlearn what we thought was right, to learn what actually is right. Could it be time for us to unlearn our misconceptions about snakebites and make room for life-saving knowledge?”
The crowd was silent. Even the birds seemed to hold their chirps. Finally, Ramesh Chettiar stood up, and in a voice laced with humility, said, “Boy, you’ve made an old man think today. If snakebite awareness can save even one life in this village, then it’s our responsibility to be open to it.”
A wave of applause erupted, louder and more heartfelt than before. The challenge had been won, but more importantly, the village had taken a monumental step toward understanding and coexisting safely with their slithering neighbors.
In the days that followed, life in the village changed in small yet significant ways. Children like Ravi and Aarav, armed with their newfound knowledge, became local heroes of sorts. Old and young alike approached them with questions about snake safety, and they were more than happy to share what they had learned.
Every year from then on, on September 15th, four days before International Snakebite Awareness Day, the villagers held their own snakebite awareness program, complete with skits, Q&A sessions, and even a snake-themed art competition for the children. The MCBT team was invited back as honored guests to see the ripple effect of their educational endeavor.
The story of this small village became a shining example of the power of knowledge and the willingness to change. Just like one would never blame a pyaj (onion) for tears shed while cutting it, the villagers learned not to blame snakes for the fear and misunderstandings that once held them captive. They had broken free, and in that freedom, they found a safer, more harmonious way to live.
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