The lockdown proved to be transformative

For Alankrutha Chandra and Meher Gundavarum, inspiring them to take up chemical-free farming and establish a clothing label

he first lockdown, in 2020, proved to be a tipping point for Alankrutha Chandra and Meher Gundavarum, techies working in Chicago. They returned to India and took up farming in Meher’s native town, Warangal, in Telangana. “Food, shelter and clothing are the basic necessities and we are trying, one step at a time, to lead a planetfriendly lifestyle,” says Meher. Their nascent clothing label named Elephant in You, the produce that grows on their chemicalfree farm, and a farm stay that is being set up are all a step in that direction.

The couple was in Hyderabad recently for the monthly Biodegradable Santha at the Crafts Council of Telangana premises. On view were some of their readytowear collection in unbleached organic cotton, linen and hemp fabrics that used natural dyes. All this is a progression of the plasticfree lifestyle they had followed for a few years, says Alankrutha.

They met while working in the US and have been living together. “Until the lockdown, I had not even grown a plant from a seed,” she says. After Meher gifted her a hydroponic set, she began growing herbs and vegetables. “Each day, I would wake up and check on the plants. It made me happy,” she recounts.

TReturn of the native

That step was a reminder of the lifestyle of Meher’s family in Warangal and her family in Tenali. Hailing from an agricultural background, Meher was privy to both the joys and challenges of farm life. He observed how several relatives had gradually given up agriculture, unable to cope with the high costs. Meher’s parents too had moved to the city to set up a bakery, but they still retained a patch of land back home.

Alankrutha took the first step and suggested they return to India to take up farming. “It took me six months to process the idea,” confesses Meher. He was aware that financially it would be a leap of faith to leave their wellpaying jobs and start from scratch.

Alankrutha was the first to return to India, and Meher followed suit a year later. They got married and decided to embrace the farm life. “We thought we would have things in control in a few months. But a month later, Meher’s parents had to step in to guide us,” she recalls.

The farm now has 40 varieties of fruit trees (10 varieties of mangoes, three of guava, pomegranate, sapodilla (sapota), sweet lemon (mosambi), Java plum (jamun), lemons, star fruit,

Meher was privy to both the joys and challenges of farm life. He observed how several relatives had gradually given up agriculture, unable to cope with the high costs