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Nestled amid the verdant hills of Kerala, where the air hums with the chorus of birds and the rustle of palm leaves, Sangeeth and Kavya have woven a mosaic of self-sufficiency that feels like a dream plucked from an old folk tale. Their homestead, often playfully dubbed "messy" by skeptical onlookers, stands as a vibrant rebellion against the grind of modern consumerism. With their loyal dog bounding at their heels, this couple has transformed a patch of land into a thriving ecosystem where every element from the soil underfoot to the sun overhead works in harmonious rhythm. It's a place where bills fade into irrelevance, replaced by the quiet satisfaction of hands in the dirt and hearts attuned to nature's pulse.
Their story didn't begin in this idyllic retreat but on the open road, where adventure first ignited their passion for simpler living. College sweethearts with a shared wanderlust, Sangeeth and Kavya would steal away on weekend camping trips, trading city lights for starlit skies. Those escapades planted the seeds of change. Eventually, they bid farewell to their cushy corporate desks, pouring their energy into a rugged overlanding lifestyle. Behind the wheel of their self-modified Gurkha 4x4, they crisscrossed India for two exhilarating years, clocking over 45,000 kilometers. Accompanied by their furry companion, they delved into the country's hidden corners, from mist-shrouded mountains to sun-baked plains, all while sticking to a shoestring budget of just Rs 200 to 300 a day.
Those journeys were more than mere travel; they were masterclasses in minimalism. Cooking over campfires, sleeping under canvas, and navigating remote trails taught them to strip life down to its essentials. "We learned that true freedom comes not from possessions, but from experiences," Sangeeth reflects in one of their Instagram posts, where they share glimpses of their world under the handle lifeonroads__. Along the way, they witnessed first-hand the scars of climate change like eroded coastlines, parched rivers, and vanishing forests that stirred a deeper calling. In response, they began planting saplings in every spot they visited, amassing over 10,000 trees to date. Now, with eyes set on an ambitious 100,000 over the next five years, their mission extends far beyond their own backyard, inspiring a nationwide green revolution.
Check their Instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/lifeonroads__/
Back home, that same spirit of restoration fuels their daily rhythm. Daringly, they invested 60% of their savings into building this sanctuary from scratch, a decision that raised eyebrows among friends and family. But what emerged is a masterpiece of ingenuity: a home that runs on zero recurring costs, powered entirely by nature's ingenuity. Their kitchen garden bursts with fresh vegetables, while a small pond teems with fish that leap into their meals. They even grow their own rice paddies, harvesting golden grains that feed not just them but their flock of chickens and a pair of gentle cows. In return, the animals provide a steady stream of eggs and milk, turning the homestead into a closed-loop wonderland where nothing goes to waste.
At the core of this setup is a biogas plant, a humble yet heroic contraption that transforms cow dung and kitchen scraps into clean cooking fuel. No more reliance on pricey gas cylinders; instead, they simmer curries and brew chai over flames born from yesterday's waste. The by-product? Rich compost that enriches the soil, nurturing cycles of growth that keep their gardens lush and productive. Overhead, solar panels capture the tropical sun's relentless energy, powering lights, fans, and even the irrigation pumps that quench their crops' thirst. It's a symphony of sustainability, where each part supports the whole, slashing expenses to near nothing and leaving a feather-light footprint on the planet.
But Sangeeth and Kavya don't stop at the basics. In cosy indoor corners, they cultivate mushrooms that sprout reliably every 25 days, adding earthy flavours to their plates and a touch of whimsy to their routine. Nearby, wooden beehives buzz with activity, yielding golden honey while the industrious insects pollinate their blooms, boosting yields across the board. It's this intricate web of life that makes their homestead feel alive, almost sentient—a far cry from the sterile efficiency of urban apartments.
What truly sets them apart, though, is their commitment to sharing the wealth. Rooted in rural upbringings that instilled respect for the land, they blend ancestral wisdom with modern eco-practices. Surplus produce finds its way to neighbours, and through social media, they dispense tips on everything from composting to tree-planting. Their growing community of followers cheers them on, drawn to the authenticity of a couple who lives what they preach. "We are not extremists," Kavya says with a warm laugh. "We are just rediscovering how our grandparents lived in tune with the earth, without the excess."
In an era shadowed by environmental crises, Sangeeth and Kavya's tale shines like a beacon. It's a reminder that sustainability isn't about deprivation; it's about rediscovery. By choosing paths less paved, they've unlocked a life rich in joy, health, and purpose. Their homestead isn't just a home, it's a blueprint for the future, urging us all to pause, plant a seed, and let nature lead the way. As they gear up for more adventures, perhaps towing their Gurkha into new horizons, one thing is clear: in their world, less truly is more, and the rewards are boundless.
