The sun spills over fields dotted with mango and moringa trees, along with various other plants and shrubs. Under the shade of a 70-year-old mango tree, Mayank Singh, once a Bangalore-based senior software engineer, now kneels beside mustard and pea plants, gently brushing dew off their leaves. His day begins not with a laptop, but in the sacred stillness of dawn- amidst the soft mooing of his five desi cows, and the rustle of earth alive with life. But how did a corporate techie end up nurturing soil in his ancestral village?
Restlessness Within
In 2018, Mayank’s five-year IT career at Accenture, in Bangalore, paid well, but left him restless. Weekend treks brought him closer to mountain winds and soil trails than to silicon screens. Training in water sports with the Surfing Federation of India, Mangalore, stirred something deeper. A six-month adventure stint at the Taj in the Andamans only sowed a seed of a deeper connection with nature.
Then came the lockdown in 2020, when the world shut down. He returned to his ancestral village Mahgaon in Varanasi. What was supposed to be a pause turned into a profound return. He was toying around with the idea of starting a water-sports business on the Ganga. He met several folks to take this forward. However, one suggestion from a fellow surfer altered everything.
“He told me about the Permaculture course by the Art of Living. When I saw Binay Kumar’s photo- whose video ‘Man in the bus’ had once inspired me- I registered immediately.”
The program didn’t just teach techniques; it rewired his perception of land, food, and responsibility.
“The Permaculture Beginners Program opened my eyes- to why we must grow crops naturally, and how chemical farming damages our health, our soil, our future. The Permaculture Advanced Program opened my mind- to how to bring change. And Sudarshan Kriya opened my heart- to courage and connection.”
With that realisation, the city slipped behind. He rolled up his sleeves. The farm became his new classroom. But change isn't romantic- it’s hard.
Challenge of Returning
Mayank’s parents were deeply worried. His father, who had seen the struggles of farming and unemployment, feared Mayank was risking his future.
“They thought I’d outgrow this ‘phase.’ Friends couldn’t understand why I’d leave a stable job. I planted quietly on our one-acre land, with no guarantees.”
Over time, exposure to natural living, community support, and their son’s dedication softened his parents’ fears. His father, once skeptical, due to his childhood memories of farming struggles, news on farmer suicides, belief that farming doesn’t reap financial stability, and my drastic decisions at the initial stage of career, now began attending natural farming webinars- and even found his own health improving (initial neuro issues subsided) by helping on the land. But Mayank didn’t retaliate, he planted his belief in his ancestral 1-acre land, quietly.
Forest He’s Growing
From 1 acre in 2022 to now doubling it, Mayank’s farm is a living example of a combo of agroforestry, permaculture, and natural farming. Here, mango trees grow beside sweet lime, along with other plants. In between, seasonal crops like chana and moong pulse through the soil. His farming isn’t just about yield- it’s about harmony.
His multi-cropping model reflects a marvel of natural synergy- delicate peas need support so climb mustard stems; mustard protects peas from insects; leguminous peas fix nitrogen in the soil. “Everything supports each other- like in a forest,” he smiles.
What Changed?
The soil, once dry and lifeless, now holds moisture. Insects, worms, and wild grasses have returned. No herbicides. No pesticides. And yet, the land breathes and blooms.
From One to Many
Transformation doesn't stop at personal gain. Mayank is registering a private limited company to sell his produce and help others. A shop in Varanasi is in the works. He’s already talking to farmers in Lucknow and Kanpur, offering them space to market their goods.
He’s also building a mobile app and digital platform to connect natural producers with urban consumers, offering farming know-how (such as growing on a balcony and terrace) and authentic, chemical-free food. He is also volunteering for Art of Living by sharing his experiences in the Permaculture online courses.
“I don’t just want to sell food. I want to build trust, a community,” he says. “I’m also planning a farmstay- Varanasi being a tourist hub, the location itself offers an opportunity,” he shares.
A Vision Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Mayank’s journey reflects the very essence of Gurudev’s vision- empowering youth to become entrepreneurs who generate employment for others, not just for themselves. Through programs like the Youth Leadership Training Program (YLTP) and Natural Farming initiatives, The Art of Living has been instrumental in inspiring thousands of young people like Mayank to create meaningful, sustainable change.
Road Ahead
Mayank continued his freelance tech work, coding by night and farming by day, straddling two lives: building systems in one and nurturing ecosystems in the other. But that didn’t work for long, so he is totally involved in farming now.
He still lives in the village, supported by his brother in Bangalore. Earlier, marriage seemed out of reach. But now, a family from a farming background has embraced his dream- he’s engaged.
“I’m laying a foundation,” he reflects. “Health, happiness- and yes, even financial stability- are slowly growing.”
