Monday 16 April 2012

Notes from: Diary of an Explorer

17th April 2012

Patehpani - a small village housing not more than 5 Birhor families at the most. Surrounded by mountains - Dalma, with the sun going down on the west behind them. Call from cicadas fill the air, electric wires hang overhead, obviously there is electricity. In the distance there are solar powered lamp posts. However there is no electricity at the moment, there are some "pakka houses" built by the government, for the BPL card holders, and such PTG (Primitive Tribal Groups) like the Sabars and Birhors.
Amongst the few villages I have been to, this one really filled me - at that moment, there was no better place to be in. "They" ran away when they saw me, but accompanied by somebody from Tribal Cultural Society, means I am not entirely to be distrusted. By the time we left the place, they flocked at a safe distance to see us leave. Curiosity is innate to human nature...I was just as curious to know them...perhaps some other time!




Sabars... are one of the more backward tribes from the Primitive Tribal Groups.  A few days and after a couple of visits to their villages, I find it commendable - the efforts of those who have paved the path for progress amongst this community....
But their behavior stops in making much improvement, nomadic in nature prone to addictions makes it more difficult for improvement in their quality of living....

However in the last few days, I have had the opportunity to see some of these "forest dwelling" people, actually trained in weaving and agriculture.... making a decent living.
From making ropes out of weeds and tree bark and selling wood being  the primary source of livelihood, these people are now working as agriculturists, the women - experts in weaving technology and their children going to schools - in the hope of a brighter tomorrow and on the way to it....





Notes from: 7-3-12

"In handling the wealth placed in our hands we fulfilled the visions and ambitions of Jamsetji Tata and his sons that this wealth which came from the people should go back to the people many times over" - J.R.D Tata.

This one idea has changed the economic structure of Jamshedpur, many tribals found job opportunities, women clad in heavy weight boots work in factories alongside their male colleagues, drive heavy weight machines...as Tata Steel completed 100 years (2011) of the Blast furnace in Jamshedpur, the city evolved from a one time village Kalimati to the biggest industrial hub and township - Jamshedpur.
It has made all Jamshedpur-ians proud...but for the silent sacrifices and duties performed by the natives in giving away their lands, and toiling through the nights, their contribution to the "building of a town" goes largely unnoticed by us....

Time to take note.... I guess we are all to busy for that...and how??!! Wish we really knew!!!




Reporting from base -

Adivasi Protest Marches - fairly a common sight?!!!?

Witnessed another protest march today..the banners read..."Dalma Buru humara adhikaar hai...Sarna dharam humara adhikar hai" I dont need to translate that...I hope anybody who feels concerned will be able to read between the lines...and I also hope we can spare a few minutes at least pondering on the lives these "other" people are living, rather than  being too engrossed with our own...
-6-3-12



Reporting from base - Sabarnagar - Samanpur - Bistupur - from the villages back to town...
Its not always pleasant to behold what meets the eye..but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist neither does it pay to close our eyes to something we would rather choose not to see... trust me when I say they would rather be left alone than rallying on the roads...till some time back, these were the same tribals who ran away at the sight of strangers... what we could do on our part is at least take note...and a little bit of respect towards them and their "need" for their private space... the rest is up to our own understanding and intellect!

Negotiating Routes : Ecologies of the Byways III  
http://www.khojworkshop.org/project/12223
           

5 comments:

  1. It's a give and take relationship.. probably more give than take on certain fronts. But employment has also opened the doors for education, access to healthcare, and hence a better future. Also, Tata Steel has practiced corporate responsibility in helping the natives reconnect with some of their roots - as in reintroducing their script like you enlightened me. So all in all it's a mutually sustainable relationship. Although, the natives have paid a price by giving up their fertile agricultural lands for urban residential growth.

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  2. I notice that this is a very different world than the one I live in, with the constant humdrum of urban life. It must be quite an experience to have been in this different world, and I'm glad you're making the most out of this very worthwhile work.

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  3. I feel that the real success story would be one where we are able to provide opportunity in the village to make your living while conserving the culture. If the purpose of education is to enable migration to city, abandoning the village and all that is culturally yours, then we all are losers. Village has lost its people and social structure, the villager has lost sense of identity and security, the city has lost in having migrants who are contributors to temporary growth expecting permanent job and life security, where none exists. The divide between the have and have-nots will only grow… Can we envisage a scenario that will ensure reverse migration back to villages? When this happens we can we have people live as they would have … in uncomplicated surroundings with simple needs but more satisfied otherwise.

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  4. I am curious about the uniformity of design in the clothes they wear during these protests. It's not exactly an uniform (I see both red and green) but the uniformity can't be just coinciental. Can you tell us more about it?

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    Replies
    1. These checkered patterns are typical of the textile woven by the tribals.
      If you look at the Santhal population in Bengal/ Orissa you would find them using the same textiles. These are handwoven textiles and made by the tribals themselves, these are their traditional clothes, and even though you would find them clad in other clothes occasionally, during any protest march, they will always be without fail, be clad in these same traditional wear.
      This I feel comes from their conscious decision to portray their culture and from a sense of pride and belonging and being who they are.

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