Quarantined under a tree for 2 weeks

► Self-imposed exile for Baramati farmer to beat COVID-19

The 59-yr-old isolated himself away from Korale village in his own fields as he was returning from Pune and had also visited Sassoon hospital here; villagers lauded his move, said their fears had been allayed by his actions

Amid massive migrant movement back to hometowns all around, reports are emerging continually of persons trying to evade quarantine when they reach their villages and towns, while others are propelled into difficult isolation circumstances due to fears of contracting COVID-19 among residents in their native places.

But recently, laying all such confusion to rest, a humble farmer of Baramati undertook a self-imposed exile of sorts on returning from Pune, and quarantined himself under a tree on a plain patch of land in his fields, braving the harsh elements for 14 days to ensure that he does not infect anyone in his family or hamlet, lest he be carrying the coronavirus. He has asserted that he took this decision of his own accord under no pressure from villagers, also leaving the latter relieved and allaying their alarm.

It was only on Friday last week that 59-year-old Balaji Khomane of Korale village finally met his family there — including his wife, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter — after quarantining himself completely away from them for two weeks. The agrarian had been on a visit to Pune last month, arriving here for his daughter’s delivery.

After she was taken to Sassoon General Hospitals (SGH) when she went into labour at the end of April, the proud grandfather also stuck around the facility for a few days to care for the mother and newborn.

But in the first week of May, Khomane was all set to return to his village. When he arrived, it was clear that the villagers were worried. Not only had the farmer come back from Pune, where COVID-19 cases have climbed steadily, but he had also visited SGH, a state-run facility where a number of coronaviruspositive patients are being treated and have succumbed.

Although there is a facility at the gram panchayat school in the village for institutional quarantine as has been mandated, Khomane could see that his presence was still causing some anxiety to those in the surroundings. It was then that he made his arduous and unusual resolve.

To lay all fears to rest, Khomane decided he would isolate himself under a jambhul (jamun) tree in his farm, far away from his house. He told Mirror, “I took the decision completely by myself, because I wanted to safeguard my family members and other villagers. There are small children in and around our household, and had I returned, we would not have been able to stop them from coming near their azoba (grandpa). So, I had to leave the village.”

Khomane then created a small, makeshift shelter for himself strapped to the tree, and settled under it on the uneven ground. The cruel summer sun did not deter him. Meals were sent to Khomane from his home or the village in separate vessels designated for him, and he informed that arranging for water to the spot was not a hassle, as it was his own farm.

He narrated, “Since I was staying alone, some villagers gave me a few old newspapers and books to read. I am also not a phone addict, so I was fine without it. Several villagers stopped by and appreciated my decision, and spent some time talking to me, following all physical distancing measures.”

His decision won him plenty of favour in Korale. Gram panchayat member Suraj Khomane shared, “We really appreciated his decision to quarantine himself away on his farm, and not even use the quarantine facility, so as to accomplish complete distancing. As he came from Pune and that too from Sassoon, villagers were slightly worried — but this decision gave them new confidence. While most villagers returning from cities avoid even institutional quarantine, such a step taken by this farmer has set an example for many others.” Another villager, Bharat Gawade, said that the community tried to help Khomane with all necessary items during the 14-day quarantine. “We also ensured that we visited daily to check on him, so that he does not feel left out,” he shared.

Summing up his sentiment, Khomane said, “When the villagers visited and gave me meals and other required items, I could tell that they deeply appreciated my effort to isolate myself. Villagers do worry if someone from the city arrives. Many of us cannot stop going to the city, but if the appropriate measures are taken, we can definitely keep coronavirus away from our hometowns.”