Courage over cancer: How Athikka finds healing and hope in her backyard farm

A 60-year-old woman residing in Elathur, Kozhikode, embraces each moment of her life with joy by forgetting about her age and physical limitations. Athikka lives with confidence and strength, positively influencing those around her. Throughout her life, Athikka has endured ten surgeries, beginning with a hysterectomy, followed by a mastectomy due to cancer. Despite facing numerous challenges and fighting various diseases, her indomitable spirit remained unbroken. The chemotherapy treatments she underwent resulted in the loss of her hair, which was her sole source of sorrow. However, her subsequent life became a testament to the reasons for her happiness.

"My happiness, my health, my energy—all of it resides in this backyard. I will never be willing to part with it. This is my life. This backyard is what brought me back to life," Athikka expressed, reflecting her deep passion for farming.

Ventured into farming with chillies 20 years ago
Farming became Athikka's refuge from the suffering caused by her illnesses. In her backyard, she cultivates not only vegetables but also a variety of flowering plants. Her journey began with the planting of a chili seedling. Currently, she produces all the vegetables required for her household from her own garden. Following her cancer diagnosis, she has focused on growing pesticide-free vegetables to meet her own needs.

Despite being confined to a sick bed, she hurries to the farm. In the backyard, there exists a small garden brimming with flowers. She has recently undergone surgery on her leg, and the resulting disabilities weigh heavily on her. Nevertheless, Athikka remains undeterred. She expresses that engaging in this work allows her to momentarily forget her pain. "Following chemotherapy, I will take rest for eight to ten days. I have no other option but to stay indoors. However, my thoughts will always linger among the plants and vegetables. My sole desire is to find a way to go outside and work. If we stay indoors thinking that we have health issues, it only leads to greater exhaustion. It is important to understand that we are not merely working; we should engage in the activities we cherish the most," Athikka says.

Food distribution and pickle sale
Athikka has not only cultivated the plants in her garden but has also crafted the pots that house them. The demand for Athikka's flower pots is notably high. Her efforts as a housewife to distract herself from her pain are commendable. She also engages in food distribution and the sale of pickles. When inquired about how she manages to find time for these activities, Athikka responded, "When we get tired, our loved ones feel the same fatigue. These are the methods I have discovered to endure without getting tired. Initially, I was deeply concerned upon learning about my cancer diagnosis. I feared that I would lose everything.

However, I have accomplished much since then because I love doing this. Pain and challenges are constant companions; my legs often ache, and I have undergone a knee replacement along with one or two additional surgeries on my legs. Even if my body cannot keep pace with my mind, I believe that by engaging in our tasks to the best of our ability, we can momentarily set aside our troubles. My children frequently urge me to stop all these and take rest. However, if I were to remain idle, my health issues would only worsen. I am motivated to keep busy to prevent that from occurring."

Athikka's husband, Ahmed Kutty, stands by her side, providing unwavering support in all her pursuits. At times, Athikka travels with her family and members of Kudumbashree.