Success Story of MNREGA : Khatra,Bankura,West Bengal

Success Story of MNREGA : Khatra,Bankura,West Bengal

December 24, 2013

My recent visit to Khatra Subdivision  is a windfall  to my experience.  The panoramic views of Mukutmanipur and surroung hills .hillocks and dam has  undeniably  smoothened my mind. However I got much more than expectation while visiting success  of MNREGAs here. On other days whenever I roamed Jungle Mahal  I had been skeptic as well as pessimistic about MNREGA.  I saw scattered ,unplanned and unproductive works done with the support of this mega project.  Community as a whole harvested little from it. Sporadic ventures failed to make it sustainable and productive.  Multiple positive buds from MNREGA did not come out.  Seldom people felt it their project. This very impression   pained me  every time. However, after visiting  orchard rearing under the umbrella MNREGA in Khatra sub-division changed my mind set. Now I am hopeful with the inherent power of the project  on seeing some of those brilliant works.

The sole objective of the project is not to  give jobs to the odds in any way but to create social assets simultaneously.   It must be productive and bear fruits continuously. Community must share fruits equally. Another point is important to its mission is of social participation, social inclusion  and social resource preservation. Equally important is of incorporation of bio-diversity, which is economically, ecologically vibrant. 

One of the poor blocks in Khatra sub-division is Indpur. The block is dominated by tribal and scheduled castes. Those  low-order people are landless or owner of a bit of lands. Topographically the entire area is undulating, rain-fed and terrain of infertile soils. Paddy is the single crop of the region barring some patched areas.  Vast barren lands are there with out greens.  The poor groups have to migrate other parts in search of jobs. Poverty and misery made them depressed and cynical. Tribals and other SCs lost their confidence burdened with shocks and stress all the time.

 Under above situation Dr.Babulal Mahato- a young block level administrator of Indpur block  saw hope within MNEREGA project. With his agricultural background  he wanted to experiment his earned technology blending with administration and people’s participation. He wanted to make them involved in  mango orchard farming. Initiall it was not an easy job. However, ultimately he managed to bypass negative thoughts. Landowners of the community agreed to his ideas of leasing lands to the SHGs teamed by tribal and SCs.  Under Mnrega    he flowed funds for best utilization of fallow lands with potential ventures. He has shown Orchards prospects in many parts of the block. I have already written the success story of Lipidiri. He has already set up 130 gardens. The new venture is now at Brahmandiha,gram panchayat, in Bhalukbhasa village in Phhlkhusma mouza.

Under Babulal’s stewardship  seven SHG-groups have been formed. One of those group is of Sardars who are tribal. These seven groups have taken lease land of 250 bighas of in a compact block. Groups have been tied with local panchayats. Input costs like fertilizer,compost,saplings and other contigent materials are supplied by the Panchayats. Lease sharing is on the basis of 40:50:10 among  SHGs, Landholder and Panchayats . Landholders  and Panchayes will receive share after the  garden starts harvesting.  This project came into operation from 8^th August 2013. They have already sown abot 10000.00 plants. Works is on full swing. Groups have cultivated  seasonal vegetables. We were offered  tasty cucumber while on the field.  Priyotosh Pathak a rural youth is  monitoring the whole program. Pathak’s sacrifice moved me. I apprecaiate his challenge  change in this drought prone area. 

Babulal accompanied me the spot. We shared and discussed a lot. We came to conclusion of refinement of the project incorporating diversification of crops and adding non-crop segments.

Unbelievale experience I got in Indpur.

This model is best suited in Junle Mahal. Institutional arrangements  of the project can be developed in other parts of India.

MNEREGA  is a sharpen weapon , it can  weed out all evils if properly used.

A talk on Unified battle against odds. 22 December, 2013

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.

My Tripura Visit: Udaipur,Tripura Sundari & Bhubaneswari Temple

On 27^th  we visited Kasba , saw the border  and took a glimpse of Comilla soil.  Our next program was fixed to Udaipur by Ratan Da.  We were told to sleep early and get up in the very morning. Udaipur is about 55 kms. from Khayerpur where we are staying.  However, we did not  sleep early but  got up at the dawn.  The old lady- ninety five year old ,Ratan Da's mother & watchful guardian  blessed us morning. She also repeatedly told  “ Go to Mata Bari in the morning otherwise you can not see the deity at ease..Every time there is crowd.. Take her blessings”—With her kind wishes we started.. The same team comprising Ratan da, Sweta & their daughter ,me along with Krishna & Sanchari  plus the eldest sister of Sweta.

On our way  I looked at the Hoara Nadi..a lean stream.. we crossed.. the top of the Chaturdas Dev temple was visible from the windows of the car.. everybody folded hands and saluted the tutelary devis of Tripura king.   As we move forward we were looking at the hillocks..locally called tillas.. the road was carved with green plantations ,,obviously natural.   Morning journey through the Assam road is indeed charming.  We saw vally lands in between tillas. Farmers were busy in growing crops. There were lush green patches  all through.  Side by side  man’s overpowering nature was seen. Tills were  being cut to flat lands by giant macine.. old trees are cut down  here and there.. space for urbanization  is the top activity in Agratala and surroundings.

While moving,  Ratan Da  drew my attraction to the splendid building. It was Tripura University. I got down and took a few shots.  Near to the University I saw a Palash tree –it was full bloomed.. its colour reminded me Paschimanchal.  The color of soil was keen to lalmati (red soil).

On the way we were looking at the tea-gardens. Vast areas are carpeted with tea. It was the off season  and tea-plants were uniformly pruned.  Tea  played a big role in the economy of Tripura. British  factories sprang in Tripura owing to much availability of rolling lands and cheap labours. However, Ratan Da mentioned “ lot of your people originating from Chotonagpur were  hired   for tea plantation.. they are settled now.  In those days  (1860s).. Kukmis of tribal hills frequently invaded tea gardens and invaded tea colonies..However, later it was settled with the intervention of British Government.’.  Ratan Da  is an encyclopaedia of Tripura. I was listening to his story. The rest co-passengers were enjoying nab.  I asked why did Kukmis were arrogant to the others?-I asked.

Ratan Da smiled and answered “ All about the battle of throne.  Whenever there was rivalry  within the Raj family the contender  used to disturb the sitting king.. It also happened.  Many villages near Udaipur were plundered..many huts were ablaze  ..many were made captive by the Kukis.  Kukis were hill tribals .  Tripura was divided into two parts. One is Plain Tripura. This part was governed by the Brtitish ruler and the other part is Hill Tripura. Hill Tripura was independent and was under the control of Tripura king, however he had to pay  taxes to the Government.  Commilla was the capital of Tripura which was again named as Rosaland. Udaipur was the old capital of Hill Tripura. “

The car moved and reached BishalGarh district. I enjoyed the beauty of tea gardens.  Ratan Da pointed to  the trees which I have  never seen earlier. “ These are rubber plants. Now Tripura is the second state after Kerala in terms of rubber production. Every inch of soil would be covered by rubber trees. Tea planters  also tried to switch over to rubber plantations. However, public hue & cry and Government intervention stopped it. Rubber cultivation is a profitable enterprise.  “. He also lamented that bio-diversity of Tripura is threatened by extensive rubber cultivation.  By this time we crossed a semi-town named Charilam.. a beautiful name.  Gradually ,we crossed the reserved forests..saw the natural treasure of Tripura and crossed the Gomati river. Gomati is the Ganges of Tripura. In those days it was the only means of communication.  Gomati has gone to the Bangladesh.  Finally we came to Udaipur. A serene town  obviously.  We got down at the bank of Rudrasagar. Oh..while entering Udaipur city we found numerous lakes, and temples. Bijoy Sagar,Jagannath Dihi,Amar sagar and Kalyan sagar are a few lakes  to mention. All these were  made by the then Tripura Rajas.

We reached to Tripureswari temple around 9.30.  by this time there were queues of devotees. This temple is a famous pilgrimage destination of Hindus. However, tribal of Tripura show great reverence to the deity. . Popularly  the temple is known as Matabari. . it  was constructed by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya Debbarma in 1501 Mythology  says, Sati’s  right foot fell here during Lord Shiva’s Dance. Krishna ,Sweta were well prepared in worshiping the deity. This is one of the 51 sakti piths. Tripura was known by the Tripureswari devi from time immemorial. The temple is situated in a gentle hillock.  The hill is just a replica of Tortoise and people call the holy place as  Kurma Pitha. Every year on Diwali, a famous Mela takes place near the temple which is visited by more than two lakhs pilgrims. I made a round the temple.  I saw many devotees have brought animals for sacrifice. Animal sacrifice is a common way of pleasing devi here. Ratan da told me “ Human sacrifice was in vogue  in the princely state. I will show you the spot at Bhubaneswari temple.”

Tripura kings shifted to Khayerpur (old Agartala) during 1760 and took their tutelary Goddess Chaturdash Dev there but did not move the deity  of Tripura sundari. Till date the deity is worshiped by the red-lobed priests who happened to be the descendants of Raj-purohits.

Krishna ,Sweta  and didi were satisfied after seeing the deity and offerings to the Goddess. We came down the tilla and took a bit rest at Kayan sagar beneath the temple. It is splendid  and another attraction of Udaipur.   It was also crowded. Many were feeding the fish & tortoises.  At present the number of tortoises have come down . The banks were made of briks and cements and the pretty tortoises feel it uncomfortable to stay.  We were talking about human and animal conflicts.  A mid aged tribal women intervened and said ‘  The deity is living one..a few days back a giant tortoise went up to the temple and unnoticed..finally it died better say sacrificed for our welfare”.—The strong belief  - I can not explain or she will not listen to otherwise.!!

Now our destination is  Shanti’s residence. 2 Kms. Far from the temple. Shanti arranged stupendous lunch for us. I was moved with their hospitality. After lunch and a short break we moved towards Bhubaneswari temple. The temple reminds me Rabindranath Tagore. His famous Bisarjan or Rajharshi  come to my mind as  I feel Bhubaneswari temple. The excitement went up when  I saw a beautiful building named after Rajharshi while crossed Shanti’s house.

Again we have to ride tillas and cross magnificent slopes of Udaipur to reach the temple. the Bhuvaneswari Temple Tripura is a rare specimen of temple architecture. The temple of Bhubaneswari at Tripura was built by Maharaja Govinda Manikya, is located near the old Royal palace of Maharaja Govinda Manikya constructed during 1660-1675 A.D. The palace is is ina dilapidated condition.  Recently archaeological department unearthed many aretefacts, historical documents etc.  Again we saw the Gomati river.  A statue of Rabindranath here  witnesses the great poet, his love for Tripura and Tripura people. I saw the dreaded spot where human sacrifice used to be done to appease the Goddess.

It was evening , we  started for Khayerpur with memory and joy.

Sital Sasthi / Gotta Seddha

Basanta Panchami reminds me  those days of  my childhood...  In the evening we had been tired of day long celebration of Saraswati-puja.. On returning home we used to ask grandmother for diner-she would say ' wait.. your celebration is over..now it is of mine.. tomorrow is my day..you can not go to the kitchen room( a separate mud housed was marked as kitchen cum dinning room).. I am arranging for Sijan..’ Yea- we had to wait till sijan-preparations were not made.

Grandmother used to clean the whole kitchen room.. Ganges- water was sprinkled  everywhere..the oven was cleaned and rubbed with cow-dung.. it will not be used  from Panchami evening to next day noon.. A complete rest was given to the oven.On panchami at day time she prepared the delicious dish  with nine gradients made of pulses, whole baby brinjal,  whole shims , whole potato, whole peas, pui-sak  etc.  No spices were added ..all ingredients were boiled and a thick  slippery palatable  juice cum mixture was prepared. Sijan means boiled.. as the dish is prepared by boiling it is named as Sijan.Again. It is called Gotta-seddha..Gotta seddha  means vegetables were not cut and pulses were not split ted..everything was in its whole form.  The pan containing Gottaseddha was placed religiously and it would be shared next day in cool condition. Similarly rice was cooked and kept for cooling. It will be taken next day as Panthabhat,  These two things are must for offering to the deity. Next day we have had to eat those as offerings.  In addition , there were fries of potato,pumpkin, brinjal for tomorrow’s dishes. However, these were not related to Sasthi puja. Similarly, fish were fried and cooked but kept in other places away from the main alter of Sasthi. For our mouth watering grandma used to prepare sour curry with Kul 9ber)..it was named tak ambal.

By this time the kitchen room is decorated with white designs by chalk-dust  (chak-khuri). Mango twigs were placed at the main entrance of the kitchen room. Sil-nora was washed repeatedly. These twins were erected uprightly position.  Pradip (candle) was lit up. It will light up whole night. A hurricane was kept in the kitchen .. this will illuminate the whole room. At the base of sil-nora, turmeric paste was kept. In a separate small bowl  Sindur-paste was poured and offered to the deity.

Narikel kul is a must offering to  Sitala sasthi.  The whole deity (sil-nara) was decorated with marigold.Chandan, dhups were placed beneath the deity. Silnara is now Sitala sasthi devi.

 

Next day in the morning I recall the old lady who was called SastiBuri used to come at our house. She used to read in a melody voice about the Sasthi Puja etc. What I understood Sitala Sasthi is done for the welfare of sons and daughters and pro genies. Sitala Sasthi would protect off-springs from from difficulties and adversaries.  Thus, Sitala Sasthi deity got a premium place in the heart of families.  Belief does not require  queries. Obedience is the rule.however, my grandma used to  venerate the Goddess and  worship by her heart . The tradition was bestowed to my mother later. By turn Krishna-my wife and others got it. Yesterday she was busy with Sitala Sasthi.  Oh..there was some modifications this year.. as I lost my brother recently  there would be no Gotta seddha this time.. It is a mark of respect to my brother. Krishna promised to make Gotta Seddha on other day.

GROW TURMERIC: The Goddess Saraswati of Illu-Jagro

GROW TURMERIC: The Goddess Saraswati of Illu-Jagro: “ Do you know where Lord Shiva resides?”- I asked a girl at Deulghata. The child along with his family members   came to offer p...

Manbhum the historical land of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

It was January 16, 1941 Subhas Chandra left his house from Elgin road  at mid-night in disguise. Subhas was masked as Mohd. Ziauddin-  a travelling inspector of Life Insurance Company. Sisir Bose  his nephew was driving the Wanderer car  accompanying Subhas  in the rear seat.  The car moved through Howrah,Rishra..Burdwan ,Asonsole  and reached Gobindapur-a muffasil town of the then Manbhum. It was early dawn..Subhas was sleepless  ...sooner  the car came to Dhanbad-the sub-divisional town of Manbhum. End destination of Bose was Babri Colliery of Manbhum.. the whole day to be spent in the Bunglow of his relation-nephew AshokeNath.  Ziauddin got down from the car near to the Bunglow. Sisir Bose entered alone and talked to Ashokenath in details about the plan. A few minutes later Md.Ziauddin came and talked with the members in English. No body doubted him. He was given shelter in the outhouse. Ziauddin alias Subhas Chandra took his last lunch in the soil of Manbhum. After the lunch,Bose took rest and nabbed.  Ashkonath went to his office as usual and back in the evening. By this time Ziauddin left the Bunglow and was on the way. Askokenath told the caretakers  that he along with his wife be on nearby tour by car  and accordingly left the  house accompanied by Sisir Bose  .  Subhas was picked up from the road. From Birali 30 kms is Gomo station. Subhas would  ride the train at mid night.  All of them halted at Dumra kalibari in a priest’s hut- 10 kms away from Gumo.  Thereafter reached Gumo.. the Delhi Kalka mail came..Our beloved Subhas  boarded into the train.  The great escape of the great soul  was from the land of Manbhum. The Gumo station has recently been renamed ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’— Manbhum’s Gumo station  is the mute witness of the last journey of the hero...

Subhas Chandra had a long relationship with Manbhum.  He was under prison from 25 October 1924

to 16  June 1927.  During this period his health deteriorated. After freeing from Jail he was advised to visit Shillong for recovery. By this time his Guru Deshbandhu left the eternal world. On returning back from Shillong  Subhas came to Purulia to meet Basanti Devi. His arrival has been documented in the Weekly news paper Mukti, Purulia. Basanti Devi- the wife of Chittaranjan Das used to stay in the garden-house ‘Retreat’. Das’s mother Nistari Devi breathed her last from here. However, Subhas used to call Basanti Devi ‘Ma’.  Ma blessed Bose affectionately.  Subhas Chandra also met Manbhum Janani-Labanya Prabha Ghosh  at her Silpashram. In his first visit Subhas Chandra did not join political agendas although young generations thronged to visit him.  However, after four months from first visit Subhas Chandra again came to Manbhum. He came to Ramchandrapur village, Santuri  to attend Manbhum Zilla Political Conference. On 6^th March 1928,  he travelled a lot right from Bankura,Kenjakura,Chhatna.. Raghunathpur etc. Raghunathpur Municipality honoured him on the way.  A meeting with the public was held at Raghunathpur town. On that very day  he was with high fever. Subhas came to Ramchandrapur via Barakar road which is now renamed as Netaji Subhas Road.

Ignoring social dogma Subhas dinned with the harijans and tribal. Some of the elite groups were not happy with this.  However, it was resolved. Subhas met Rishi Nibaran Chandra Das-the freedom fighter and a true Gandhian of Manbhum here. More than 20 thousands participated during the conference.  Subhas Chandra referred to the history of Panchakot and asked the mass to become fearless and independent and ready to fight with the British. National flag was hoisted by Bose chanting BandeMataram. The whole Manbhum was mesmerized by his one and half hr.long speech. A political tie up bonded between the  great leader and Manbhum.

Subhas Candra’s third visit in Purulia had been covered in Mukti-news paper 12 Nov.1928. In fact Subhas came here to take rest but the restless public wanted him to hear him. A mammoth gathering was in front of the Union Club Purulia. The vibrant speech urging for Purna Swaraj was voiced by him in the soil of Manbhum. The same was acceped in the National Congress 1929.

Subhas Chandra Bose stayedat Jambadoba,near Bhagaat  at his relative house for about one month during 1939. 

During 1930’s Subhas Chandra was undisputed trade union leaders of Manbhum Collieries He had come to Dhanbad m sub-divisional town of then Manbhum, several times and led the labour unions..

The people of Manbhum..owes much to Netaji. There are many events here which people retrieve till now.

My homage and tributes to the great today.

Gangasagar- A revisit to Mythology

In our school days we used to recite a famous poem of Rabindranath- 'DebatarGrass'..The poem describes the difficult path of reaching Gangasagar..it also points out to the traditional sentiments of people over Gangasagar.. & the tragic narrations of how a mother lost her beloved son in the sea water..The sagar remained mysterious to me for a long period. However, later I found many of our neighbours visited and expressed their unbound satisfaction  in dipping in the holy water.  All of them went during Makarsankranti-  and they enjoyed sahi-bath and worshiped Kapildev..

Gangasagar means Makar sankranti when lakhs and lakhs assemble here for a holy dip. This is a tradition from unnown days. In purans it was said 'Ganga is always holy.. but holier in Haridwarm Prayag and Gangasagar, however Gangasagar is un- parallel  and greatest among the three'. There has been a proverb ' You have to cover all pilgrims many times but once all in case of Gangasagar. you can earn Almighty's blessing once you dip in holy water of Gangasagar'. That thoughts still prevails and Gangasagar becomes a sea of people during the Makarsankranti. uncountable people of irrespective genders  come to the beach at the dawn-Brahmamuhurta ignoring cold & wave-they worship the ist sun standing into coldwater..they make tarpan for their ancesters..they seek blessings etc.

This time I visited the sagar on the eve of Makarsankranti. I sensed what could be on that day. Already people from different states have taken position. Sadhus of different sects have set up their Akhra.. Gangasagar is now a cosmopolitan city.. banners,signboards & communications are made in hindi or other than Bengali..Hectic preparations going on..there are more number of boats/staemers plying  inbetween sagar and the main land.. the streets are repaired..flooded with light.. a joyous feeling every where..Tons and tons Hogla leaves are reaching there.. there would be thousands and thousands temporary cottages.. all are free...hundreds and hundred stalls are ready for selling goods.. you can have your choice food in the complex of Kapilmuni Ashram.. Morenumber of priests from Ajodhya are there now.. Arati is done in a serene manner..the conchsound vibrates the whole area..

Although I went Sagar for other purposes but I was in quest of knowing some history of the Gangasagar. History is scanty but mythology is abundant. Let me share some amazing mythology of Gangasagar.

The creator of the world is  the grand Brahma- Marich is his son and father of Kasyap. Manu was his illustrious son. Ikkhaku was Manu's son and his generations ruled the country and it was Ikkhaku dynasty.The thirteenth decendants of the dynasty was Bharat from which the country named as Bharatbarsa. The capital was at Ajodhya. After the death of Bharat  his son Asit ascended to the throne. Asit was of timid type. He was thrown away by rivals. Asit fled and took shelter in HimachalPradesh along with his two wives. Sooner Asit died. That time the two queens were pregnant and rival to each other. One of them poisoned  other so that the later's son can not claim kingdom in future. However, with the blessings of Chabhyan Muni nothing happened. A beautiful son was borne. He was named as Sagar ( gar-means poison).Sagar had also twin wives- Baidarvi & Saiba. Sagar accompanied by his wives made deep meditation and the Lord Shiva asked them their wishes. Baidarvi wanted 60 thousand sons while Saiba wanted one.  Saiba got her son named Asamagna. Asamnga was self styled and dictator. Sagar  drove him away from the kingdom. On the other the 60 thousand sons of Baidarvi became powerful. Sagar wanted to make Asmamedh jyanga..a horse is let free..it will move move independently without obstacle.. once it returns the Jyanga would start and the horse will be sacrificed in the name Almighty. Sagar will be the real crown of the universe. No power can bow him down.
The matter of sacrifice reached to Devraj Indra. Indra was afraid of losing his kingdom. Indra made he tricks ,he stole away the horse and kept in the Ashram of Kapilmuni at Sagar.
The 60 thousand brothers searched everywhere but could not find the sacrificial horse. At last they reached in the Kapilmuni Ashram. They found the horse tied near to his meditation field. All of them shouted and threw ill words to kapilmuni.. Their noise irritated the Muni and as soon as they levelled him as theif,  he was aggrieved   and anger came his eyes and made all of them to ashes.

In the mean while ,Bharat  engaged  Ansuman-the son of Asamnga to find out his cousin brothers and the horse.Ansuman found it in the Kapilmuni Ashram. He was well tempered and sat beside Muni while he was in meditation.  The Muni found a devotee  after the break of meditation. He was pleased with the fellow. Ansuman gradually knew everthing about his brothers. Muni told him to take away the horse and  make Asamedeth Ju\yanga. Finally , he told him to bring Ganges here and wash the ashes to turn back  his brothers.
Janga was completed. Sagar tried to bring Ganga but failed. Ansuman failed his son Dilip also failed to bring back Gangas.. time elapsed ..it was the turn of Bhagirath who made deep meditation.. who pleased Mahadev..Narayan & Brahma.. Later by his efforts the Ganges reached Sagar. With the touch of holy Ganges the 60 thousand brothers were let alive..
The meeting place of Ganges and the Sea became a pious place.
The name of Sagar as a pilgrim place is mentioned in Ramayan.