A revisit to Ajodhya Hill
June 24, 2014
After a pause of about three years my dream -day came on 19
th
June this year. I am excited… I feel much hope today as I have to go
Ajodhya this time. In my last visit I got a mixed experience – a sense
of admixture of fear and joy at Ajodhya Hill. That time it was
turbulent, people were always panicky, they seldom used to come forward
and spark frankly and freely. I had to reach there escorted by military
all along the road. Guard persons were also suspicious on our movement.
Doubtful minds of ours, peoples and passersby made a cloudy atmosphere
in hill regions. I must give thanks to Grameen Bikash Trust to
initiate developmental works in the most awkward part of West Bengal.
That time it was the mission of strengthening and developing WADI
projects in hill areas of Purulia. WADI project aims here in
establishing Orchards. They started setting as many as 150 mango
orchards in a collective manner. GVT set up own establishment there
despite all odds and difficulties.They recruited energetic staffs who
are mobilizing tribals. Those brands are giving confidence to the
resource poor and making new avenues of farm 7off-farm activities. They
have already set up SHG –groups monitored and maintained by local
people. GVT is doing wonderful works for them. I heard all those. I
read many documentary published by them. I also got information from
other sources about their dedicated services.
I started my journey from Kalyani accompanied by my friend Subrata
Sarkar. I feel comfort with his presence. It is always a learning
session with him. I met a few who have grasped the rural fabric by
heart. His doggedness to goal inspires me a lot. He is a real
challenger.Despite ill health and doctor’s advice for rest he is adamant
in his own mission. I recall those days of journey with him in
Sundarbans, or Bagnan where he led and moved masses at one stroke.
I was listening to his experience of Ajodhya hills. It was raining
as we reached Purulia around10.30 p.m. He had arranged everything. I
took shelter in Akash hotel. I could not sleep with excitement. I
woke up at 4.00 a.m. I came to the Balcony from where I was looking to
the Court where I used to come frequently. My uncle was a government
servant there. Once, Prof.Dilip Dasgupta –the then ViceChancellor along
with Dr.P.R.Dasgupta, the the Technical In-charge came here and met met
my uncle to discuss many issues. I was also looking at the Victoria
School where my relation served as Headmaster for many years. Many
stories cropped up when I see the court areas.However, it was raining
all through night. I had a desire to visit Ajoydhaya during rains. God
is generous this time. He sent rains.
Journey amid rain is always joyful. For the last two weeks we were
experiencing hot waves,scorching heat and warm –moist weather. We wanted
to get rid of it. Farmer have been fervently waiting for God-rain. In
hilly areas there are many creeks. These dried tracts were flowing ina
full rhythm. Fields were filled… birds were bathing dipping their
heads;Sorrows were ready to catch prey. Mud fill roads checked the
speed of the car. Gentle movement gave us moments of seeing nature. We
reached the top hill. A venue for gathering was fixed in an abandoned
house. During terror period the building was left. However, I was
hesitant whether farmers could come. Bimal Da who is having a saint-like
live here was confident about stakeholders. Sooner I saw them reaching
braving the rains. Tribal youths have been trained and disciplined in
action by Bimal Da. Bimal da is a strong personality. He left his
comforts in Kalyani and started-austere living here amid nature and
tribal.
It was around11.30 tribal from Majhidi,Puniasasan,Kuchariraha and
other hamlets reached in the venue. They were all WADI members. GVT
targeted 800tribal families under this project since 2012. They have
already covered morethan 460 families. I was elated when farmers were
showing their keen interest on it. They have already established
mango,jackfruit, and ber in their orchards. They are maintaining itunder
the technical advice of GVT staff. There are about 60 small villages
in the top hill and its surroundings. The entire area is almost rainfed
barring some pockets. Maize and rice is the principal crops here. A
few of them grow vegetables. Chuniram Mandigrows brinjal,tomato,raddish.
He was telling his misery of growing as there isno market. Jairam
Besara also planted tomato. Besara grew potao in his .50bigha of land.
He got 10 bags of harvest. Avoy Besara harvested mustard for home
consumption. All were discussing about their crop-pattern. Low value
crops with low productivity is the main point of discussion . Another
part was their non-awareness of cost-returns of crop. They never see
farming as commercial venture. They are also keeping goats,
chicken-birds but to a small scale. One or a few have milch cows. There
is also demand for milk. They grow vegetables at their homestead but for
own uses.
With constant effort ,support and monitoring GVT has changed their
mind set in growing fruittrees in the up and barren lands. I was
invited to show them success story of growing turmeric in between mango
trees. I told them why Hill top is ideal for this crop. Why mango
orchards need intercropping with turmeric. They were listening and
interchanging ideas, They all agreed to plant turmeric.
Subrata Sarkar,the head of GVT interacted with them. How to market
this produce was a common question here. We encouraged them to process
turmeric in a collective way. If production reaches to a large extent
SHG-members can sell it at local markets.Government is running a good
number of mid-day schools in the region. They would be potential buyers,
All is hope. I hope a convergent efforts by many institutions
operating in Ajodhya Hill will usher in a new look for the tribal of
Ajodhya. T
