They are Savars- a primitive tribal community mostly found in Jharkhand,
Oddisha and West Bengal states of India. They are forest people living
on hunting, forest food-gathering and forest animals. During Brtish
period, they were notified as criminal tribe. However, after
independence it was lifted & de-notified. These are all paper works.
Savars still remain beyond the orbit of civilization. People are
afraid of them as because they bear the dark spot of 'criminals". They
are not given jobs locally. Again, they are land less thus unable to
harvest food for themselves. Their food habit is different from other
castes. Society see them in a low profile. Illiteracy,poverty, migration
have made their livelihood hell. Their life style is aggravated by
addiction to liquor &drug. Their starvation story - death of five
Savars under malnourishment & starvation in Amlasole wake the
nation a few years back.
Time has changed a few women of Lipidari village in Ranibandh united to
fight against poverty. They took a vow to eradicate poverty. They wanted
a smooth living. They formed Self Help Groups took barren, fallow
lands from others. With the administrative support they converged
MNEREGA schemes to productive occupation. Beautiful mango orchards
sprang up with their collective action. A revolution occurred in
Lipidari village.
They got employment. Now there is no migration from the village. Women
are sending their children to schools. They have harvested tons
&tons mangoes.They are growing vegetables. Their action has been
credited by the Government. Their success story reached other
down-villages.
Dr.Babulal Mahato, Dy.Magistrate of Khatra is happy with the Savars of
Lipidari.
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