“Building a mud house is harder than cracking JEE,” say IIT toppers Sakshi Bhatia and Arpit Maheshwari, who swapped their high-paying corporate jobs in the US for a simpler, more fulfilling life in rural India.
In search of a balanced lifestyle and a deeper connection with nature, the couple settled in Badnagar, a small village in Madhya Pradesh and began their journey towards sustainability by starting a farm called 'Jeevantika'.
Her transformation began in 2015, when traveling through South America led to a profound change in her worldview. “The futility of consumerism began to gnaw at us,” remembers Arpit. Before leaving for South America, they sold most of their material possessions and lived a simpler, minimalist lifestyle. As they backpacked through the Amazon, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, their experiences deepened their environmental awareness and solidified their commitment to sustainable living.
In 2017, the couple returned to India, determined to live closer to nature. “We wanted to grow our own food and live a more mindful life,” says Sakshi. They decided to set up Jeevantika on a 1.5 acre plot where they now grow almost 85% of their consumption.
“The only thing we continue to buy from another farm is oil as we don’t have the machine yet,” informs Sakshi, emphasizing their commitment to self-sufficiency.
Your entirely hand-built adobe house offers a peaceful retreat after long days on the farm. “Building the mud house has to be the hardest thing I have done in my life, yet so fulfilling,” says Sakshi.
It took the couple almost three months to build their house from the ground up. Although there is no electricity, the house remains cool even in the height of summer, offering peace and quiet without the need for fans or air conditioning. They also decided against a refrigerator because they can pick fresh vegetables and fruits at any time.
Their agricultural practices follow the principles of permaculture, which ensures both sustainability and ecological balance. Living in the country has given the couple a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness.
If you want to know more about her journey or visit Jeevantika, you can reach her on her Instagram handle (@jeevantika.forest).).
Edited by Arunava Banerjee