by Fr. Jospeh Elias C.M.I., India
"I feel ashamed", Karl Kübel said
In Silwani we received a message from Mr. C.M Antony, the then President of the KESS Trichur, that Mr. Kübel would like to visit Siwani. Mr. Antony also wanted us to arrange a Mercedes Car for Mr. Kübel's Journey in Silwani. We did so.
On the next day of his arrival in Silwani, early in the morning, he started visiting the project sites in different villages. As the visiting team came back in Silwani by night, Mr. Kübel was found rather gloomy. I asked the team members, what had happened during the journey? They said: "nothing special". In our chatting with him after supper, I shared my observation and eagerness to know what displeased him. Then he opened his heart. On the way to Pradapgarh, a village 28 Km away from Silwani, he saw a few people , both men and women walking on bare feet, with small loads on their heads, from Pradapgarh to Silwani (that was a weekly marketing day. They had to come to Silwani market for everything. At that time, there was neither roads nor vehicles in Pradapgarh to reach Silwani). It pained his heart. "I feel ashamed", he said, that I came over there in Silwani in a luxury car." He asked us to send back the vehicle immediately.
In Pradapgarh the project personnel, including the Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters and the lay staff, were living in a village house, brought from a local farmer. As Mr. Kübel came to visit the centre, the father's room was arranged for his rest after lunch. But after the meals, Mr. Kübel disappeared. "Where is he?" - everybody was searching for him eagerly. Finally a staff found him sleeping peacfully on a floor - mat in the common prayer - cell; nobody dared to disturb him.
POLICY DISCUSSION
The second visit of Mr. Karl Kübel to Silwani was a rather critical one. There existed a big difference of opinion between the project Adviser to KESS in Bensheim and the project Executives in Silwani. The project activities then spread out in 72 hamlets in Silwani Thasil.
As decided early in advance, the representatives of the KKS Bensheim, The KESS Trichur, The RDSS Silwani, The dioces of Sagar and the project staff at Silwani came in time for the meeting. Rev. Dr. Anto Karokaran C.M.I and Mrs. Karl Kübel were interpreters between us.
The project adviser was very particular to limit the activities to one or two hamlets and focus on the overall development of that particular area alone.
The project executives hold the view that the SIRDEP is envisaged for the development of the entire Thasil. Here and now top - most importance and priority, first of all, must now be given to the MESSAGE of DEVELOPMENT of the material development. Further more, taking the Socio-Politico-Religion-Cultural environment in the region into consideration, the accumulation of recourses in one or two hamlets is very dangerous.
The discussion prolonged for hours. Arguments both pros and cons were lavishly presented. At a stage every body felt helpless. The chief executive in Silwani made a remark that; we are born and brought up in India, we know and love our people a lot, than one who visited India twice or thrice and stayed a few months in India, we can't be a parted to this folly. As it was now time for lunch internal the meeting dispersed for one hour.
I didn't go for lunch. I felt collapsed --- everybody will blame me --- I wanted to be alone --- some how I skipped ---. But somebody found out that I was in the private cell and told me that it is half an hour that Mr. Kübel and Fr. Karokaran were searching for me everywhere. Perplexed I came out of the cell... What shall I say to them? I saw them standing on the way... We came together. Mr. Kübel patted on my shoulder and spoke in German. Fr. Karokaran gave the English version. "I was closely following the discussion, he said, it was nice... She will no more come to Silwani as the project adviser... God bless us... I sincerely appreciate the project team here in India... Go ahead courageously."
Time has proved, I think that Mr. Karl Kübel's decision was timely, correct and shrewd.
May his soul enjoy bliss and pray for us.
