grassroots A journal of the Press Institute of promoting reportage on the human condition Rs 15 October 15, 2012 - Volume 4 Issue 10 When children inspired i n s i d e a choir and much more Neil Nongkynrih is not a social activist, nor does he represent an NGO. He does not hold flags aloft or circulate slogans for the welfare of the masses. So what does he do? He has gathered Finding a niche for herself, in the jungle 2 a bunch of children, many of them underprivileged, and, together, they have created the Chamber Choir. The choir has performed in London, Poland, Switzerland, Colombo, Milan, Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi and Guwahati. What’s more significant is that Neil is the person behind grassrootsa school in Shillong that is home to many children who are not a part of the choir but who pitch in to help and participate in several other ways. Some are mentally challenged, others do not go to school or cannot go back to their families, or do not have families to go An auxiliary nurse is a back to catalyst for change 3 shoma a. chatterji,

he Shillong Chamber Choir is three years old and spoke with a lisp. perhaps the only ‘professional’ He went to study at the Guild Hall Tchoir in India, meaning the School of Music and Trinity College, team members are not engaged in any London by the time he turned 17. He other vocation to earn a livelihood remained a concert pianist till his other than learning, composing, health began to create problems. He practising and performing as part returned to his roots in Shillong when Illness and frailty can’t of the choir. It added a feather to its the “revival’ happened. stop these indomitable cap recently when it performed at the “I turned to religion. Lots of women 4 opening of the new season of Kaun underprivileged kids from very poor Banega Crorepati, with Amitabh families arrived from neighbouring Bachchan himself singing along. Neil villages. They were not musically Nongkynrih, founder-director and talented but I wished to find out in conductor, revels in the triumph of his what way we could work together as “children” who, he insists, have given a team. I took them to my house and him, an unmarried man, the joys of took care of them just as they took care parenting. of me. Not all of them turned to music

“The Little Home School in but the rest are also part of the choir Photos: Shillong Chamber Choir Shillong houses many children who family; that includes my old parents How long will their lives Children of the Shillong Chamber Choir on the sets of KBC. are not a part of the choir but they whose lives have got a new meaning be allowed to go up pitch in to help and to take part in with kids who are growing up in front of their eyes,” Neil explains. Many parents are poor or troubled, newspapers is Shillong's entry into the in smoke? 5 Today, they live together, eat so they prefer to let their children Guinness Book of World Records for whatever is available, practise music be with Neil and visit the home at staging the world's largest guitar and and learn the important lesson of intervals. “It is more like sending drum ensemble. This is what I knew sustaining their humble and innocent your child to live with an uncle. A when I visited Shillong. So making nature. The ‘school’ is involved in few in the choir come from affluent the film has been a learning and a home education and is not properly backgrounds and learn team work as life-enriching experience for me,” structured. “Nothing much happens they mix and mingle with the rest,” explains Urmi, director of the film. in the hills but the grooming in living Neil points out. The film opens with two girls together, learning and practising Mumbai-based filmmaker Urmi hanging the washing on the clothesline music makes the school a worthwhile Juvekar has made a documentary on while they are also belting out lines Where bright young lives effort in a very small way,” says Neil. the Shillong Chamber Choir founded from one of their repertory, in perfect await a helping hand 6 “But there has been misunderstanding in 2002 and the little home school. harmony and in sync without musical regarding the choir,” he cautions. The film is produced by the Public accompaniment. It is as if music is part No place they can really Neil Nongkynrih. “These children are not a result of Diplomacy Division, Ministry of of body and soul. Most of the songs call home 7 my charity but are helping me in my External Affairs, . are hymns and psalms in English. It indirect ways. They are kids who, work instead. I do not want to make “Most of us who live in mainland is a very secular and socially relevant perhaps, are mentally challenged it sound like I rescued them from the India do not know much about our story of a rich boy marrying a poor or do not go to school, or cannot streets. I insist that they have brought northeastern region. Geographically, girl. In the film, they also sing a Khasi go back to their families, or do not a new meaning to my life.” it is far off and culturally much further opera composed by Neil. Neil has have families to go back to. The Apart from the 16-member choir, away. This is a land of tribes. The few himself composed the Sohlyngem choir has 15 or 16 singers but my there are children who do a lot to culture shows and craft exhibitions Opera, which they have performed other ‘children’ are many more and support the choir and, together, they continue to reinforce this view. The only in Shillong. After Cyclone Aila, their ages range between three and all form the little home school. Not British called it Scotland of the East 70,” says the ever-smiling Neil. Neil all the children, English-speaking because of its hills and music but all (Continued on page 3) seaweed comes to began to play the piano when he was Christians, are musically gifted. that trickles down to the mainstream women’s rescue 8 grassroots October 15, 2012 2 A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition

Focusgrassroots

which she replied: “In case you have forgotten, I'm a woman!” A moment's silence followed and then he Finding a niche for herself… sheepishly said, “Oh, haan. I forgot.” Singh laughed off the incident but she felt good that people had accepted her as a professional and that her gender wasn’t an issue anymore. in the jungle After all these years, life in the jungle still fascinates Singh. She is also an avid animal lover. “I love dogs - simply for their unconditional Ratna Singh is quite at home in the jungle, where she says her soul belongs. As one of a kind love and loyalty. In the wild, it’s the – a trained professional woman naturalist – she has many things going for her, but perhaps tiger. There is nothing more regal,” she says. One of her most memorable more than anything else it is the role model that she is for many girls that speaks volumes about experiences was driving actor Amitabh Bachchan when he came for her outstanding abilities. Among other things, she has built close bonds with local villagers the NDTV Tigerthon. “It was quite an and erased the gap between genders. Overall, it makes for quite a remarkable story experience. There were cameramen perched all over the vehicle. I had to drive very carefully. He was very teresa rehman, Kanha, (Madhya Pradesh) interested, took a lot of photos. And, t’s not unusual for naturalist Ratna approached her and said: “Will you English diction are some of the other Singh to have a rat snake slithering meet my daughters? I want them to requirements of the job. Today, Iover the tiled roof of her cottage see what education can do for them Singh is the first-ever head naturalist in Kanha National Park in Madhya even in a jungle.” Singh would at Taj Safaris, a joint venture with Pradesh, as she calmly sips her cup regularly meet with Ramdin’s girls Andbeyond, a well-known Africa- of tea sitting on the steps. She is truly and, inspired by them, other people based company. For Singh, it was a profession that came “naturally” to her. “I love wildlife. I love the wilderness. I grew up with a lot of animals around me. It’s as if my soul belongs here. It’s an easier, simpler life. But earlier if you wanted to be in the jungle, you had to be a man. A trained, professional woman guide was unheard of,” she says. During the initial years, some distant relatives did try to

dissuade her. “It was rather hard. I Photos: Ratna Singh/WFS was criticised for wearing pants and living among men, doing a man's job, getting sweaty, being unladylike. After a while, I got quite fed up and made police complaints. I decided to stay put. It’s my sixth year and over Like all naturalists, Singh also dabbles in photography. "Animals the years more women can be seen and wilderness look beautiful irrespective of the angle from which around. So I guess, it’s the hardest for they are shot," she says. the first one, and it was good that I didn’t crack under the pressure,” she scarred in a sporting accident and in fact, he mentioned me in his blog, adds. wouldn’t find anyone to marry me!” for two days,” she smiles. Ratna Singh (smiling) is indeed a trendsetter - she belongs to the rare Singh’s parents’ support kept she laughs. Singh’s parental home is One of Singh’s pet causes is to species of a trained professional woman naturalist – the equivalent of her going. “I was a complete jock a two-hour drive from Bandhavgarh ensure better security in the jungles to a ranger in Africa. throughout school and college, and National Park, also in Madhya avert man-animal conflict. “Villagers played judo and basketball till the Pradesh, and so she was no stranger on the periphery of the jungle have to one with nature here; typically, she on her staff also asked that she meet national level. My granny would to thick forests, wild animals or rural be provided with alternate sources of spends eight to nine hours every day their daughters. That’s how the 33- worry that I’d be either crippled or environs. She went to a boarding fuel and employment. We form close driving wildlife enthusiasts around year-old naturalist has come to be a school when she was four but she bonds with locals. We participate in the jungle. In addition, she conducts role model for many young girls in the always came back for the holidays. their lives, festivals, weddings. It’s a guided walks and even takes people area today. So much so that 11-year- Apart from the farm animals, there small community that you belong to into neighbouring villages. old Parvati, the daughter of another were frequent sightings of langurs, when you live in the jungle. You can’t Singh’s job may seem like fun but staffer, is even ready to undertake a macaques, wild boars and deer. There keep away,” she says. She enjoys it’s far from it. Here’s why. She has bumpy bus ride just to meet her. was the occasional leopard, tiger and taking local village children on safaris, to brave extreme weather conditions Singh is indeed a trendsetter – she bear too. “My family used to hunt so they can see their natural heritage – from sub-zero temperatures in the belongs to the rare species of a trained in the olden days, but my father had see the value in what they need to do winters to the harsh summer sun that professional woman naturalist. Being turned to conservation. I think that's and why. Like all naturalists, she also drives the mercury up to 44 degrees a naturalist – the equivalent of a the grain I imbibed. You lived with dabbles in photography. “It’s a shame Celsius; she is required to keep abreast ranger in Africa – wasn’t really a animals; they had their rightful place to be there and not capture the beauty of all wildlife information, especially profession till Taj Safaris, a private alongside the villagers. I come from and miracle of the jungle. Animals any new research in the field; and she company, set out to train people to a feudal family were it’s a norm for and wilderness look beautiful has to constantly upgrade her skills. become professional guides. But it’s people to study in city schools and irrespective of the angle from which But she’s ready to do all this just not easy to become one. Naturalists return to their roots to farm. We are they are shot,” she says. And she is to experience the peaceful life that have to have a sound knowledge of all rooted,” she elaborates. determined to build a place for herself the jungle offers. “It is unaffected. the area’s flora, fauna and ecosystem; These days, Singh is often in the jungle, “I will always have an Animals don't waste, or pollute. It is they need to be able to identify considered one among the men. association with the jungle. Always.” as we were meant to be,” she says. not just animals, birds and plants “Many of them call me 'sir' or a < When she first started working at but animal tracks, sounds, animal few 'madam sir'.” She recalls once the Kanha National Park, she made behaviour and the weather as well. she received a call from a guide at (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) for an unusual sight in the rough They are also trained in astronomy, Kanha. He said, “You have to protest terrain of the jungle. Often the local first aid, vehicle maintenance and with us, against the park authorities’ villagers used to rush out to see her even the art of hosting. Soft skills Singh, who calls the Kanha decision to induct women as guides.” as she drove past on her jeep. Then, such as an understanding of Indian National Park home, loves being Surprised, she replied, “Why would in early 2007, a forest guard, Ramdin, culture, current affairs and a flawless in the wild. I do that?” He said, “Why not?” To October 15, 2012 grassroots 3 A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition An auxiliary nurse is Providinggrassroots a new lease of life Apurva Barik is happy to have got three villages – Mrutunjay Nagar, a catalyst for change a tricycle. He feels it can change the Sumati Nagar and Bonkim Nagar, quality of his life. Indeed, the cycle all coming under the DS-2 Panchayat has improved his mobility, providing in Rudra Nagar Block in Sagar Working with dedication in a nondescript village in Rajasthan, she him access to the nearby market Island (part of South 24-Parganas without help from family members. District). Door-to-door surveys were has brought knowledge about maternal services to a region where conducted and residents screened, to know the exact nature and extent illiteracy often puts the rural women in trouble and endangers their of disability. Secondary sources of lives. She has brought smiles to the faces of those who were earlier information, from data available at anganwadi centres and accredited malnourished and forced to abort, under pressure from in-laws social health activists, were considered. Assessment camps kalyan singh kothari, Jaipur saw audiologists, opthalmologists, physiotherapists and occupation he economic condition of Mamta, especially nutritious food. smiles to faces of women who were therapists assessing the degree the people in Khatipura, in The committee passed a resolution earlier malnourished and forced to of disability and suggesting TRajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur to provide financial support of Rs abort, pressurised by their in-laws. interventions. District is poor. Lack of education 500. Saini advised Mamta to take Krishan Tyagi, state coordinator, “We have identified 448 persons has made matters even worse. The healthy food, timely vaccination, points out that the milieu in which with disability in the area. We have population of the small village is and told her to avoid strenuous work auxiliary nurses such as Saini function provided aids and appliances to about 3700. There are three village during pregnancy. The result: Mamta is depressing because of ineffective 135 people and 252 have been health and sanitation committees delivered her second child safely. strategies, slow implementation referred for further medical and and three anganwadi centres. There Saini was in Jaipur recently that is reflected in the poor use of surgical consultation,” says Animesh is only one health sub-centre in the to attend a state workshop, titled available resources, and lack of Apurva Barik on his tricycle. Gomes, field office manager of the village with two auxiliary nurses who Strengthening Gender Response of effective grassroots governance. In Sagar Project. Kalika Mohapatra, double up as midwives. One of them Panchayats in Rajasthan: Successes another instance, Narmada, wife who heads the Odisha and West of Chauthmal Bairwa, was all set Apurva, from Bonkim Nagar in West to go for a sex determination test. Bengal’s Sagar Island is a person She has a son and two daughters. with disability. He had an accident Saini suggested it was the right three years ago while ploughing his time to think about family planning. land with a power tiller; his left leg Narmada refused. It was sheer family was fractured. The case turned out pressure. Her mother-in-law insisted to complicated and he was referred she must bear another male child. to the district hospital. Despite When Saini warned them about the prolonged medical treatment, legal consequences, they relented and Apurva could not walk normally. avoided going for the test. Eventually, Handicap International, which Narmada gave birth to girl twins. It works in the area, provided him was God’s gift, Saini told her, and with the tricycle. An elated Apurva advised her to get sterilised. Narmada says, “I am planning to start my own agreed and, today, looks at educating teashop in the nearby market and her children. be financially independent.” Photos: PB All this thanks to Saini, who has Others who have benefited from been creating awareness about the the agency’s munificence include need to educate girls and explaining Madhab Mandal, 75 years old, Kamala Das tries out Photo: KSK to the community the various whose right elbow was fractured. a wolking frame in a government schemes for the free He received a walking stick that distribution camp in Ganga education of girls. She also conducts now provides him much-needed Sagar. Radha Saini (right), with Mamta (centre) and her two children. meetings with adolescent girls and support. Seikh Marsida Alam, 14, talks to them about different issues weak in two of his lower limbs, Bengal units of the organisation is Radha Saini. and Challenges. Here, she shared her relating to health and education. It’s was given an elbow crutch. Kanai says: “We wish to increase the Saini has shown concern for the experiences with the audience. She good education that finally earns Bhuyan, 79, was using two small mobility of people with disabilities, people of her panchayat. Take the has redoubled her efforts to improve happiness and repute, she tells them. bamboo sticks to walk. His hip was increase their participation in case of poor, weak and depressed maternal health through various Taking Saini’s help, Jyoti, a 12-year- dislocated in an accident, resulting various community programmes Mamta, wife of Ramesh Rana. She government schemes, backed by old from Bishanpura Panchayat, in the shortening of his left limb. and in disaster risk-reduction underwent abortions several times due support from a local NGO, Society Khatupura, got her eyes tested. She Now he uses two elbow crutches. activities. Since Ganga Sagar is a to malnutrition and delivered two pre- for Advocacy Research and Action. had cataract in both eyes. These were Kamala Das, 20, identified as a disaster-prone area, we are trying mature babies who did not last for even Saini has been fighting against odds operated on. Today, she leads a happy case of developmental delay, has to reduce their vulnerability during a month. It was at a meeting of Village for several years and has succeeded life. < been given a walking frame. disasters.” < Health and Sanitation Committee in bringing wholesome change in the The agency’s effort has been to that Saini pleaded for support for lives of rural women. She has brought identify persons with disabilities in (Pradeep Baisakh, Bhubaneswar) When children inspired ... Recognition all through (Continued from page 1) The Shillong Chamber Choir directed by Neil Nongkynrih was the winner Juvekar’s film follows Neil together. It is a world where music of television reality show India’s Got Talent, Season 2. In November Nongkynrih as he struggles to find is only a means to achieve the larger 2010, the members performed for US President Barak Obama and a balance between his music and end. “I heard about the choir through First Lady Michelle Obama. The choir was regularly invited by former the purpose of his life, through his a friend who had heard them perform. President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and to Rashtrapati life spent with the inspiring children He urged me to make a film on the Bhavan, New Delhi. It was awarded three Gold Diplomas at the World who are totally focussed on music. group. I did not know anything about Choir Games 2010 in China. Other awards include CNN-IBN Special The film is a celluloid tribute to their the little home school. Neil does not Achievement (2010) and Forbes Magazine Person of the Year (2010). concerted effort to create and maintain talk about it during his shows. When I BBC Radio premiered a show in February this year with excerpts of the little home school. The dream spent time there, I was deeply moved songs from the film, Goodbye December, in which the choir is part of is the realisation of an ideal world by the experience,” explains Juvekar. the music. The choir has collaborated with both classical musicians and where he and his wards can live, < pop singers, including the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Shankar-Eshan- practise music, work, play and pray Members of the choir. Loy and Usha Uthup. grassroots October 15, 2012 4 A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition grassroots Grace Shatsang, 59, former president of the Naga Women’s Union, Manipur, and presently on Illness and frailty can’t stop its advisory committee, argues that the impact of her work as a peace builder is more dependent on her mental rather than physical health, “My work involves lots of travelling these indomitable women and immense brainstorming, but it is the psychological stress that is more prominent.” Shatsang hasn’t done a Conflict, which has marked life in India’s northeastern state of Manipur for more than six health check-up in the last three years decades now, has affected the lives of people, especially women, in many ways. Those at the because there is just “no time.” Agitations and protest movements frontlines of the struggle for justice in the violence-prone region have lived with deteriorating have become everyday occurrences in Manipur given the high levels of health for years. In the forefront in the fight against rights violations, whether perpetrated by violence. According to media reports, local people or by security personnel is the Meira Paibis, a women’s group that began as a as many as 235 people were killed in the ongoing conflict between January prohibition movement in the 1970s and in 2004 drew the spotlight on Manipur when 12 of its and April 2009 alone. Sometimes, the years of pent-up tension, members engaged in a nude protest. Today, many women associated with the Meira Paibis frustration and fury have found their suffer from gastritis, insomnia, dizzy spells, anxiety and fatigue. Yet, they continue to fight for manifestation in raw emotion. The nude protest of 12 Meira Paibi women justice in 2004, against the extra-judicial killing and rape of a young woman, anjulika thingnam, Imphal Thangjam Manorama, alleged to be

anipur is a region where even dizziness, headache, backache and day and keep them by my pillow, to something as basic as clean many other social diseases such as stop my husband from suspecting that Mdrinking water is scarce. In diabetes,” he says. Those on the I was about to set out early the next many areas, people use either pond frontlines of the struggle for justice in morning on Meira Paibi work. On my water or river water, neither of which the violence-prone region have lived return, I would peek at the house from is free from contamination. There with deteriorating health for years. the gate and sneak in when he was not has also been a substantial increase Take the Meira Paibis – ‘torchbearers’ around,” Sakhi recalls with an impish in malaria cases in the state, which – a women’s group that has a presence smile. rose from 708 in 2008 to 1069 in in almost all the nine districts of the The years of work she has put in 2009 – an increase of 51 per cent. state. The group has been actively have earned Sakhi the epithet of Ima. Tuberculosis used to be a general engaged in fighting rights violations, But being called and honoured as problem, so it is not surprising that whether perpetrated by local people “mother” has come at great personal in a state with a significant number of or by security personnel. cost and sacrifice. “We would set out people living with HIV/AIDS, HIV- Phanjoubam Sakhi, one of the at dawn without food. With the few TB co-infection is also manifesting pioneering leaders of the Meira ten-rupee notes that lay at the bottom itself. Social tensions and violence Paibis, has worked tirelessly for of our purses, how could we buy related to the ongoing armed conflict almost as long as armed conflict had food? At most we could only afford are affecting people mentally and raged in her state, even though she some snacks, but in interior Manipur, physically. is 75. She is part of the All Manipur even these are not available,” says According to Dr M. Akshayakumar Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), one of Sakhi. Such lives of uncertainty Singh, head of the Department of the prominent state-wide Meira inevitably took a toll on the health Clinical Psychology at the Regional Paibi organisations. Recalls Sakhi, of the women. “Our circumstances Meira Paibi women participating in a rally in Manipur. The Meira Institute of Medical Sciences, in “I must have been around 40 when affected our health a lot,” says Sakhi. Paibis or torchbearers is a women's group that has been actively Manipur’s capital Imphal, social I first started involving myself in the And it’s not just Sakhi. Most Meira engaged in fighting rights violations, whether perpetrated by local tensions and violence related to the movement. My youngest child was Paibi women complain of gastritis, people or by security personnel. ongoing armed conflict are affecting around 13 years then.” The Meira insomnia, dizzy spells, anxiety and fatigue. “During the peak of agitations from the state-run JN Hospital where a member of an underground outfit – which were very frequent – we Irom Sharmila is kept under judicial by the Assam Rifles personnel, would go to bed, yet lie awake unable custody and force-fed. Nongthongbam was one such moment. Explains Dr to sleep for hours, thinking what would Nupimacha, 62, of the All Manipur Singh, “Exposing their naked bodies be the best course of action,” Sakhi Women Social Reformation and in front of the Kangla Fort was the says, adding humorously, “Sometimes Development Samaj, has kept these culmination of their mental disquiet. thinking about how to out-manoeuvre vigils very often. “I have slept at my Tensions ran so high, what they did the police trying to stop or arrest us.” own house for just one night during was something that was beyond all Like Sakhi, Ima Gyaneshori, 60 – the the last two years,” she says. thought.” publicity secretary for AMKIL – has Another woman, Ima L. Gyaneshori, Recalls Lourembam Nganbi, 60, her share of health problems. Says 60, always carries a pack of biscuits vice president of the Bishnupur Gyaneshori, “I have been a diabetic in her bag to counter any fluctuations district unit of AMKIL, “We gathered since 1994, much before I became in her sugar levels. She also makes at the gate, spread out the banners, involved in Meira work. So, the sure that her pills for controlling her and then swiftly shed our clothes. frequent irregularity of food timings blood pressure are always at hand, a We could not hear or see anything during the agitations was very bad precaution that has become essential else except our furious voices. We for me. Yet, I cannot forego my work ever since she actively participated in were in a trance-like state.” Nganbi, as it has become part of my life’s the relay hunger strike for Sharmila, along with Momon and Gyaneshori, who has herself been on a decade-long were among the 12 mothers who

Photos: Anjulika Thingnam/WFS Photos: purpose.” She observes, “Somehow by sheer will, we derive the strength indefinite fast for the repeal of the had participated in that protest. The from within ourselves to go on. But, at controversial Armed Forces Special impact of conflict on the health of Phanjoubam Sakhi (left) and Lourembam Nganbi, vice president of times, after a campaign would come Powers Act, 1958. Dizziness and back peace builders and human rights the Bishnupur District unit of the All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup, a to an end, my whole body would pain also plague Ima Soibam Momon, activists is rarely highlighted, much prominent Meira Paibi organisation, have been protesting against ache, and I would be bedridden with 67, president of the All Manipur less understood. But its effects run the violence in their state for many years now, ignoring their health fatigue and dizziness.” Tammi Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, deep nevertheless, as the words and well being. The campaigns were by no means another prominent Meira Paibi of Manipur’s indomitable women easy. Some senior Meira Paibi women organisation, and she has developed activists prove. < the average person both mentally and Paibi movement originally began even formed a group in support of the some indigenous healing techniques (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service) physically. “Fear, anxiety, tension, as a nishabandi, or prohibition, Sharmila Kanba Lup, which takes to overcome them. She says, “We stress and depression are the most movement during the 1970s. “At turns in staying overnight in a small have so many health complaints, so prominent effects seen, manifested night I would open the cupboard as lean-to, walled by bamboo mats, on we burn incense, pray and apply aloe physiologically as palpitations, ulcers, casually as possible, stealthily take the side of Porompat Road in Imphal vera pulp on our heads.” Yoga also colitis, irregular bowel movements, out the clothes I would wear the next East District, a few metres away helps, she avers. October 15, 2012 grassroots 5 A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition grassroots How long will their lives be allowed to go up in smoke?

Namita Bag suffers from tuberculosis. Bilasini Bag has had miscarriages twice. Young girls who roll beedis complain of irregular periods The tobacco dust the workers inhale results in chronic bronchitis and TB, and can even turn cancerous. The workers are not given any protective clothing, gloves or masks. And then, of course, there is exploitation. Being out of sight and largely voiceless, it has been easy for beedi manufacturers and administrators to ignore the welfare and health of impoverished, illiterate beedi rollers working from their small, ill-ventilated homes. Their living and working conditions are a blot on a country that sees itself as an emerging power SARADA LAHANGIR, Sambalpur (Odisha)

he is just 25, but Namita Bag Today, her two-year-old son lies ones I make get rejected. So I do wage looks much older. Diagnosed listlessly on her lap while she rolls labour – whenever I get it – while my Swith tuberculosis a decade beedis. “I know this tobacco dust wife and my daughter roll beedis.” ago, she is regularly seen at a small is bad for my baby, but where can I According to the 2008 notification dispensary for beedi (a thin, Indian leave him? He is already suffering of Odisha government’s Labour cigarette filled with tobacco flake from breathing problems,” remarks Department, the minimum wage and wrapped in a tendu leaf tied the hapless mother. for rolling 1000 beedis is pegged with a string at one end) workers in There are hundreds of beedi- at Rs 63.28 along with a dearness her village of Regali, in Odisha’s rollers in Odisha’s Jharsuguda and allowance of Rs 2.50, which makes Sambalpur District. Namita was first Sambalpur Districts. According to a total Rs 65.78. Meagre though the diagnosed with tuberculosis in the state government estimates, their amount is, no worker receives even lungs 10 years ago. The doctors had number in the belt alone is around this. Beedi manufacturers, working then warned her that her condition 1.25 lakh, although the Orissa through contractors, violate every was the result of seven years of rolling Beedi Sramik Federation pegs the rule and give just Rs 45 or so. The beedis, a job that entails placing raw figure much higher at 3.5 lakh. The contractors in turn usually pay Rs 42 tobacco in dry tendu leaves. She was majority of the workers are women to the worker, and pocket the rest of just 15 then and, over the past decade, who work from home. The All India the amount. she has been hospitalised thrice. Beedi, Cigar, and Tobacco Workers’ As one woman worker, Bui Bag, of Despite this, she has always returned Federation estimates that women Kurla Village in Sambalpur District, to rolling beedis. “I have to take care comprise 90-95 per cent of the total says, “When I am supposed to get of my ailing mother and my four employment in this sector. There at least Rs 20, the munshi (middle younger siblings so I cannot avoid this are also innumerable children who man) – who takes the beedis I make work,” shrugs the young woman. Her inevitably get drawn into beedi rolling. to the factory – gives me just Rs 15, Photos: Sarada Lahangir/WFS father, also a beedi roller, died due to One can see them rolling beedis in the claiming that 10 or 20 per cent of the respiratory complications some years open courtyards or verandahs of their beedis I had rolled have got rejected as ago, and Namita is now even more homes at all times of the day. chatei (not well rolled). They deduct deeply embroiled in beedi-making to Unlike in most other occupations, that from my dues. I have no way keep the family going. where male workers are more valued, of checking and just have to accept Bilasini Bag, 35, two-year-old son in her lap, works from dawn to Bilasini Bag, 35, too, works from in the beedi rolling industry women whatever I am paid.” But apart from dusk for a paltry Rs 45. dawn to dusk for a sum of Rs 45 a and children are in demand because such blatant exploitation, it is the day. Women beedi workers can expect their soft and supple hands can roll health dimension of this occupation born or low birth weight babies,” he Hospital in Sambalpur District, which to earn only between Rs 140 and170 a out the little cigarillos faster. But that is the most worrisome. The says. is 100 kilometres away.” According week for rolling 3500 to 4000 beedis. while it is the women and children tobacco dust that the workers inhale Despite all this, women like Bui to the norms of the Beedi Workers Over the years, Bilasini’s careworn in the household who get the work results in chronic bronchitis and TB, still prefer to work in the beedi sector Welfare Fund Act, there should be one hands have rolled out crores of beedis done, it is the male members who and can even turn cancerous. They rather than do agricultural labour, dispensary for every 5000 workers. – at least 500 to 600 every day – yet handle the money. Satyananda Lohar, are not given any protective clothing, because of the convenience of working But Dr Mohanty’s dispensary, set the prospect of leading a decent life 45, of Rengali Village, explains how gloves or masks, and breathe in large from home. But the question is how up in 1987, is the only facility in remains elusive. Bilasini has already it works, “I used to roll beedis as a amounts of suspended particulate can they be better protected from the the region where beedi workers and paid a heavy cost for this: she has child, but now my hands are too hard matter. Other ailments these anaemic, exploitative ways of an unregulated their dependant family members get suffered miscarriages twice over. and rough for beedi rolling and the malnourished women suffer from industry? There are, of course, medical treatment free of cost. It has include cramps and aches in the specific Acts, like the Beedi Workers only one pharmacist, a nurse and an shoulders, neck, back, and lower (Condition of Employment) Act 1966, assistant to cover around one lakh abdomen and eye problems. “I sit for and the Beedi Workers Welfare Fund workers. Dr Mohanty agrees that a 10 to 12 hours at a stretch with my Act of 1976, that mandate identity proper, well-equipped hospital is the head bent in one position in a small, cards for beedi workers, which give need of the hour. dark room. This has left me with a them access to health insurance, It is a demand that Mitrabhandu constant back pain. My children also maternity benefits, provident fund, Podh, general secretary, Nikhil have similar complaints,” says Bui. housing assistance and scholarships Orissa Beedi Worker Federation Many young girls who roll beedis for their children. An ID card holder, in Bhubaneswar, has long argued complain of irregular periods, a for instance, is entitled to get up to Rs for. Says Podh, “A proposal for concern they can’t discuss with 7000 as reimbursement in terms of establishing a hospital at Rengali family members. Dr S.N. Mohanty, tuberculosis treatment, and Rs 10000 has been pending since 2002 and the a doctor working in a dispensary in as group insurance in cases of death. district administration has earmarked Regali Village run by the Government But the entitlements remain only 20 acres of land in Rengali for that of India’s Ministry of Labour and on paper. Says Shantilata Lohar, a purpose. We have been demanding Employment, believes that ingesting beedi worker from Khaliapali village, a 50-bed hospital here, but so far we tobacco has an adverse impact on “We are deprived of all facilities. The have been ignored, although hospitals reproductive health. “Although no only dispensary here is only meant for are being built in other places by the survey has been done here on the coughs, colds and fevers. No medicine labour welfare administration.” < health of women beedi workers, 80 to is available for serious conditions Women rolling beedis. There are hundreds of beedi-rollers in Odisha's 85 per cent of them are malnourished, (Courtesy: Women’s Feature Service; this like cancer, and we cannot afford is based on a Panos South Asia Media Jharsuguda and Sambalpur Districts and women form the majority of experience frequent abortions and treatment offered by big hospitals, fellowship feature on tobacco.) workers. miscarriages and give birth to still like the Burla Medical College grassroots October 15, 2012 6 A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition

grassroots government recognition until Class Five and has applied for recognition until Class Eight. For once, the girls Where bright young lives and boys are studying together in the same class. Along with the Quran and Hadith, Arabic and Urdu, they are learning Hindi and English, maths and science. Ayesha knows the computer. await a helping hand Shazia and Shakira have amazing memories and Arshad is as bright as the brightest child in the education hubs of Dehradun. Why can't the state Ayesha knows the computer. Shazia and Shakira have amazing memories and Arshad is as give them the same midday meals that bright as the brightest child in the education hubs of Dehradun. They are students in a madrasa are available to children in government schools? Why can't the state give them (religious school) in Uttarahand’s capital city called Azmatul Quran. Why can't the state give the same uniforms that they allow at the government schools? And the them the same midday meals that are available to children in government schools? Why can't same textbooks? These children are the state give them the same uniforms that they allow at the government schools? And the not a drain on government resources; they are funded by ordinary people, same textbooks? These children are not a drain on government resources; they are funded by parents and others who are desperate to educate their next generation. I ordinary people, parents and others who are desperate to educate their next generation turned to the state officials - welfare officers who had accompanied us. syeda hameed, Dehradun (Uttarakhand) "Can you help?" I asked. They were quick to reply. "We will try our level he two little girls looked very We asked for a computer student and torn clothes, hungry faces, facing best," they responded in unison. serious. They were 10 or 12 an 11-year-old girl was summoned to bare walls, sitting on cold floors or "Madam, I have only one urgent years old, with white dupattas demonstrate her computer literacy. tattered durries. Suddenly I felt a request..." The administrator stopped T us as we were walking out of the (long stole) wrapped tightly over She sat down hesitantly at the edge touch on my arm. A very small boy their heads. Their eyes were fixed of the chair and wrote Ayesha. She was standing near me. He handed me madrasa. He pointed to the busy on an unseen spot on the far wall. explained, "This is me." Then she his exercise book. I opened the first highway, "Please let them sanction Their voices were very soft in the wrote Bilal and Zainab. "My sister page. In beautiful handwriting he a speed breaker. This is a very beginning, but grew louder as they and brother," revealed little Ayesha. had written in Urdu, "Allah loves all dangerous crossing for the children." sang lines from a long poem which In the veranda we saw boys and his children." I turned another page. "Yes, of course," I said, recalling a they had memorised. I listened girls standing in columns, being It had an essay in Hindi, again in similar situation in Sarai in Palwal carefully to the words. The poem taught to memorise the Quran. They flawless handwriting. The next page district of Haryana, where parents was a lament about deprivation of were repeating the verses after their A typical classroom - boys and was in English with the handwriting had stopped sending children because the Muslim community in a secular respective monitors. "Do you teach girls usually have to sit on cold having been faithfully copied from of fatal accidents. As we were getting and democratic country. It was a the meaning of the words or is this floors or tattered durries. the teacher's lesson - both teacher into waiting cars, two small pair of powerful poem sung mellifluously. just parroting?" I asked. "I always and student had a fine flowing hand. hands tugged at my sari. Shazia and A small team from the Planning explain the meaning," responded Muslims?" I asked. "But isn't that The teacher explained, "His name Shakira were going home during the Commission, including me, was in one young team leader. "Do you get right, Madam?" the teacher shot back. is Arshad, he is my best student." lunch break. "We want to say khuda the Sahaspur Block of Dehradun any assistance from government?" He went on, "Look at them; they have "Look, let us make a deal," I told the hafiz and please Madam, come again," District in Uttarakhand, standing in we asked the mohtamim maulana no dress (uniforms), no midday meal, teacher. "You teach them to hope, you they said. Beneath the dupattas, I saw a classroom of a madrasa (religious (administrator). “Only if the children and no scholarships. Why can't they make them recite poems of optimism, two pairs of bright eyes and two big school) called Azmatul Quran. The study Hindi, otherwise not,” we were be treated like other children? Why and I will try to see what I can do to smiles of hope. < little girls finished the song on a told. "What about meals?" we asked. can't madrasas get help from the remove some of the inequities they couplet, which posed a question: "Do "They don't get any. The students government?" face. Is that a promise?" (Courtesy: Women's Feature Service. The writer is Member, Planning Commission, we suffer so much because we happen go home for lunch. After lunch, the I looked across the room; it was Six hundred children are studying Government of India.) to be Muslims?" next school session begins," was the filled with girls and boys wearing in the humble madrasa. It has received Madrasa Azmatul Quran, like reply. thousands of madrasas in the state, By this time, the organisers had is run on door-to-door charity begun to smile; they appeared more collections. It is located on the main relaxed, less suspicious of us. In the Kidnapped children: spare a thought classroom I placed my hand on one of two little dupatta-covered heads. The I have been after the issue of daily for several years I can assert men, one of whom was an Indian. girls had just finished the poem. "What kidnapped children for more with confidence that if the police I walked into the shop to avoid is your name?" I asked. "Shakira," she than 10 years now, ever since I really girds up it's loins to attack suspicion and had a good look at replied, eyes cast down. "And yours?" learnt about 5000 children being child litters with the same vigour the girl to confirm that I had found "Shazia," replied the other girl, kidnapped from the streets of Delhi which it shows in dealing with my quarry. My editor was dazed looking away. "Who taught you this every year. According to The Hindu, terrorists it can not only reduce the by the speed with which the police poem?" They looked at their teacher, the number of children kidnapped crime but totally stamp it out. Let had done the job. a stocky, barefooted young man in a in India every year runs into lakhs, me give you an example. Those were relaxed times when kurta-pyjama, with a short beard and perhaps more than in the rest of the In 1961, a teenage South African even Pandit Nehru, the prime the distinctive mark of sijda (prayer whole world combined. Many of the girl was lured to India by two minister, drove about the city with Photos: Aditi Bhaduri/WFS Photos: prostration) on his forehead. "Athar children are maimed and mutilated persons. Her father wrote to editors a single escort car and without Hussain is my name," he said. I asked to suit the begging trade. Some are of Indian newspapers to help in disturbing the traffic. Today, with Girls at the Madrasa him who had written this poem. "Dr butchered for the organ trade. A finding her. My editor asked me if our gun-toting police looking for Azmatul Quran, which like Iqbal," he said matter-of-factly. "Can't large number are used as prostitutes I could help. I drove down to the a terrorist under every bed and thousands of madrasas in be Dr Iqbal, because the poem makes and bonded slaves, or perhaps small office of the then Delhi police conducting verification of every Uttarakhand is run on door reference to the demolition of the groomed as Maoists or Naxalites. chief in Kashmere Gate, gave tenant and domestic servant in to-door charity collections. Babri Masjid and Dr Iqbal had died Here is my letter published recently him a few points about the profile the city, they are better equipped long before that," I said. The young in The Hindu: of the girl and told him my chief to find out, if they want to, the highway in a good-sized plot. The teacher replied, "I mean most of it is As a conscientious reader of editor was personally interested in hideouts of the gangs of child classrooms are built around a large, by Dr Iqbal, but then a poet added a The Hindu I would be failing in my this case. The police chief picked litters who have ruined the lives of but badly maintained, quadrangle. The few verses to reflect contemporary duty if I did not congratulate you up his phone and spoke to the countless children in our country. madrasa's administrator, Maulana reality." on your full page coverage of one police officer concerned who < Muhammad Ali, told us that there I sized up the teacher. He had been of the greatest evils of our society, called back within five minutes to was a total enrolment of 600 students teaching in the madrasa for a year the issue of missing children. give the address of a flat in Lajpat M.B. Lal in his institution, of which 250 were and had a degree from a seminary For the affected family it is more Nagar where the girl was staying. (The writer has spent 31 years girls. We saw girls and boys seated in in Fatehpur, Delhi. He was probably devastating than a terrorist's bomb. I drove to the flat, located above a serving The Statesman as staff rows, but mostly in separate classes. In drawing a salary of not more than Thirteen missing children per day shop. I stood beneath the staircase reporter, special correspondent, a few classrooms they were together, Rs 2000 or Rs 3000 a month. "This is like 13 terrorist bomb blasts in and heard people talking and chief-of-bureau, development but seated separately. In one room we poem, it is very well written, but isn't Delhi and you hear not a whimper laughing in the room upstairs. As correspondent and assistant saw two computers, which had been it despondent? Aren't you teaching about it. As one who has been a luck would have it, in 10 minutes editor.) given by the government. A listless them that the country discriminates crime reporter of a national English the girl came down with two young young man said he was the teacher. against them because they are October 15, 2012 grassroots 7 A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition

light that Bangalore had a minimumgrassroots grassroots of 17441 homeless people. In A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition contrast, response to RTI applications A Journal of the Press Institute of India revealed the government's assumption Registered with The Registrar of Newspapers for India under No place they can TNENG/2009/27557 of around 2500 homeless persons in grassroots Bangalore. Karnataka has eight cities and towns Press Institute of India - with a population of more than five Research Institute for Newspaper Development lakh and a visible number of homeless Second Main Road, Taramani really call home CPT Campus, Chennai 600 113 persons, exceeding the figure of 7000 Tel: 044-2254 2344 Telefax: 044-2254 2323 given by the government for the www.pressinstitute.in In many towns and cities in India, persons living by the roadside are entire state. Despite the Supreme Court mandate and a state joint Director a common sight, as much as those using railway stations and bus inspection committee, the shelters V. Murali for the homeless are insufficient [email protected] depots or, sometimes, even parks as places to reside. Some live on in Bangalore, which has only eight. Many NGOs that have been Editor the streets for a short period after being evicted, thanks to land grab, monitoring shelters created by the Sashi Nair natural disaster, debt, abandonment by family due to age, gender, city/town municipalities have reported [email protected]/ overcrowding or underutilisation, [email protected] illness, or relocation from another state or different parts of the same poor sanitation, inadequate drinking water and minimal availability of Editorial Assistant state for work. In addition to the inability to afford accommodation, mattresses and blankets in some of R. Suseela [email protected] commuting the distance from the place of employment is a major the facilities. At a public meeting focused Manager problem for workers, the reason they are compelled to erect tents on on the subject of the homeless N. Subramanian in Karnataka, held in Bangalore [email protected] vacant land, especially in urban areas in June, C. G. Suprasanna, joint director, Development, Directorate Assistant Manager / Librarian pushpa achanta, Bengaluru of Municipal Administration, R. Geetha [email protected] iving near the location of work saves homeless Office Staff “Lpeople much needed time, B. Rajendran energy and money on commuting. Rag pickers, coolies or hamaalis (head or backload bearers), rickshaw The Press Institute of India does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited pullers typically reside on the material. It may not always be possible to streets,” says Rajani Srikakulam, reply to senders of unsolicited material. programme officer, Indo Global Opinions expressed in this publication Social Service Society, an NGO that do not necessarily reflect the views of the Photo: IGSSS editor or publisher. has been championing the cause of Achanta Photos: Pushpa the urban homeless in the National Capital Region and in Karnataka for These are not uncommon sights on our city roads and pavements. Sixty-five years after Independence, India around ten years now. Interestingly, has not been able to provide shelter (one of life's basc necessities) to many of its people. Every effort has been taken to assure that several such groups, organisations the accuracy of information contained in this publication is based on reliable and institutions across India choose to meals on the road and can bathe only Aman Biradari and some of the Karnataka’s nodal agency for the sources. All trademarks and trade names call the urban homeless, city makers. once in 2-3 days as I must spend Don Bosco institutions are among eight cities that are part of the mentioned in this magazine belong to According to them, the homeless about 30 rupees each time to use a the NGOs that supply blankets Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban their respective owners. In case of error provide affordable products (flowers, washroom run by a private agency. and food and provide temporary renewal Mission (JNNURM), said editor/publisher shall not be liable for any plastic and metallic items, edibles) In families of people like us, the male accommodation to the homeless. that Karnataka had sanctioned Rs 250 loss or prejudice caused to the reader. The and services (footwear and small publisher reserves the copyright of the members are forced to remain alert They also conduct health camps and crore to undertake initiatives for the materials published in the magazine. No appliance repair, ad hoc cleaning) through the night to ensure the safety education initiatives for the ‘city poor in urban areas, with Rs 15 crore part of the articles or photographs can be to city residents. However, urban of the women folk. But we prefer to be makers’ in Delhi, Hyderabad and for each of the cities. The money reproduced without the prior permission of inhabitants are usually unwilling to here as our earnings are better than in Bangalore. Many of the organisations includes funds for the construction of the publisher. All disputes will be subjected accommodate city makers, citing our hometown where there are barely have been urging urban local bodies temporary and permanent residences to the jurisdiction of Chennai only. security risks and unhygienic habits. any livelihood options,” Saritha and other government agencies to for the economically backward. Saritha, age 25, and her slightly explains. Migrants like Saritha do not provide shelter with basic amenities However, only Rs 43.75 lakh were older husband are cobblers from have a ration or voter identity card to such people, particularly at night. utilised in 2011. Advertisement Tariff Tamil Nadu who have been in Shivaji in Karnataka for lack of a valid local In January 2010, the Supreme Court Government apathy towards the Nagar, a busy commercial hub in address. Hence, they cannot obtain of India passed an order mandating marginalised appears stark when Full Page: B&W: Rs. 5,000 central Bangalore, the past seven food grain, oil or sugar through the city and town municipalities to create you consider the case of Mariadoss years. “We live in a tarpaulin tent public distribution system. They face a shelter for homeless persons per P. (name changed), a former bus Colour: Rs. 10,000 with our young son who studies in a police harassment and arrest, and one lakh population in all towns and conductor with the Karnataka State government school close by. I cook shift residence periodically. cities with more than five lakh people. Road Transport Corporation. “I'm a Half Page: B&W: Rs. 3,000 Various NGOs conducted a national father of seven and a landless Dalit Colour: Rs. 5,000 CityMakers Caravan between from Hoskote Taluk in Bangalore August 2010 and January 2011. Rural District, surviving incognito Mechanical Details Using street theatre, public meetings on Bangalore's streets as I cannot and memorandums to government repay loans taken to recover from a Bleed : 275 mm x 350 mm officials while passing through 22 bad accident. My efforts to secure Indian states, the exercise highlighted compensation from the government Material can be sent to the challenges of the urban homeless. and a job, despite the pain of the steel [email protected] The government then opened shelters rods in my legs, have been futile,” he or by CD to our address for the homeless in Delhi, Hyderabad, says. Visakhapatnam and elsewhere. What is heartening, however, is that The Indo Global Social Service the initiative of local municipalities Annual Subscription Society and 29 other Bangalore- in providing shelters for the homeless based NGOs and community-based has succeeded in Hubli, Dharwad and 12 Issues Rs. 180 organisations conducted in March Belgaum. These are run by NGOs 36 Issues Rs. 500 2010 Action Research and called it with financial assistance from the Invisible CityMakers. During the government. Awareness campaigns Please note that the cheque or demand investigation, 191 surveyors met among the public, police and auto draft or at par cheque payable in with 2000 persons who lacked shelter drivers have helped direct homeless Chennai, for the subscription amount and did a headcount of similar people people to the shelters. And here, there should be drawn in the name of Press across the 198 Bruhat Bengaluru is no fear of being institutionalised Institute of India ONLY and NOT Mahanagara Palike or Bangalore under the Karnataka Prohibition of in the name of the magazine. Municipality wards. It then came to Beggary Act, 1975. < grassroots Registered with The Registrar of Newspapers for India under TNENG/2009/27557 8 A journal of the Press Institute of India promoting the human condition Aftergrassroots Cyclone Aila, seaweed comes to women’s rescue In the Sunderbans, it’s often an exhausting struggle for sustenance, one that women in the region have learned to live with. After Cyclone Aila in 2009, there has been large-scale migration of the men to larger cities in search of work, which has left many women to fend for the family. Because of the salinity in the soil caused by the receding flood waters, paddy, fruits and vegetables refuse to grow; prawn and fish cultivation is at a standstill. Thanks to the Nature Environment Wildlife Society, which initiated the seaweed project, there are hopes for the production of 15-30 kilograms of seaweed per woman, every 40 days from individual plots. Now, women are not only involved in planting new trees, they also take a keen interest in protecting them Ajitha menon, Sunderbans (West Bengal)

shika Mondal, 34, works for two scale migration of the men to larger 60 kg) paddy per bigha (measure of hours every day in waist deep cities in search of work, which has land). Now the yield is not even three Iwater, trying to keep the fragile left Ishika, Raushi and many other basta. There is loss in cultivation Gracilaria or Seola (seaweed) seeds women to fend for their children and due to the poor soil situation. Her alive at the small experimental seed themselves on their own. Panchanan son is a pipeline worker somewhere bank in her village of Harekrishnapur Das, Chairman, Forest and Land near Mumbai and he sends about in the Sunderbans, West Bengal. “This Committee, Basanti Panchayat Samiti Rs 300 home, hardly sufficient for is our hope for the future. Selling the observes, “There has been almost no Kanondolai, her husband and a young seaweed every 40 days will bring rabi or kharif (winter and summer daughter, a student of Class VII. So, money for our families,” says Ishika. agricultural seasons) cultivation in she diligently works at the nursery. In contrast Raushi Singh, 45, the region since Aila because of the “Many girls have gone to work in wakes up at 4 am and treks for about salinity in the soil caused by the cities as domestic help. I fear many one-and-half hours along the muddy receding flood waters. Forget paddy, Seola seaweed (left) offers a nutritious dietary alternative and is are being trafficked. I don’t want the banks of River Bidya in the delta even fruits and vegetables refuse to extremely beneficial for pregnant women. It can be sold to baby food same for my daughter. The nursery region, searching for crab marks. She grow. Prawn and fish cultivation is also and diet supplement manufacturers. The mangrove nursery project project is my safety net. I made plunges her hand deep into the crab at a standstill, as the bheris and ponds (right) has emerged as another successful means of livelihood for the money from the jute bags I stitched holes and pulls out these crustaceans. in which they were reared, were filled women in Basanti Block. and once the saplings are sold, I will “It’s risky and crab bites are common, with saline water. Incidence of viral have money in hand. My husband but most women in our village forage disease in fish, post-Aila, has gone up through the MGNREGA (Mahatma kilograms of seaweed per woman, is ill but he does odd jobs. We will for crabs like this. We then walk to the as well. With no livelihood options Gandhi National Rural Employment every 40 days from individual plots. manage somehow,” she says. market, about two-hours away, to sell left, 90 per cent of the male youth Guarantee Act). Whatever little work “One kilo will fetch Rs 20. We aim Most families in the Sunderbans them so that we can buy essentials for and about 20 per cent of the young was offered, involved hard manual to involve about 800 women in this claim that they have received no our family,” says Raushi. For Raushi, women here have moved to cities like labour like building embankments project,” says Rajnarayan Mondal, compensation yet for building/ an alternative means of livelihood, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and even to – impossible for women to do. We 42, local project coordinator, NEWS. repairing their houses, post cyclone like the seaweed cultivation project, the Andamans and Gujarat. In most suggested poultry, goat-rearing, Besides the seaweed initiative, Aila, let alone any other monetary handicraft, but nothing materialised. the mangrove nursery project has help from the government. Basanti Self-help groups and NGOs have emerged as another successful means Block authorities say that of the provided some alternative means of of livelihood for the women in the Rs 52 crores due as compensation livelihood,” says Uma Deb Sharma, Basanti block. Anjali Sardar, 45, a for repairing dwellings, they have 45, of Thakurgheri Village under widow, whose two sons have left received only Rs 24 crore till 2010- Basanti Block. the Sunderbans in search of work, 11. Even the sanctioned fortification Then, with the aim to provide a says excitedly, “We are cultivating of embankments has not taken place. better means of livelihood to the local kalobain (Black Avicenea) saplings At the most, only some superficial women, the Nature Environment that we’ll sell for one rupee each to work has been done. It is obvious Wildlife Society (NEWS) initiated the the NGO when they are ready. We that hardly any post-cyclone seaweed project on an experimental also plan to plant them along the river intervention by government agencies basis in three villages on four plots. banks to earn extra money. In fact, has taken place in the Sunderbans “We had seen a similar project at we got paid 35 paise per jute bag we but its heartening that the residents, Mandapam in Tamil Nadu, where stitched, the bags are used to collect particularly women, are trying to there is a seaweed processing factory clay from the river banks and the mitigate the financial, social and as well. Seaweed needs both saline Kalobain seeds from the forest. The environmental impact of Aila to some and sweet water to flourish and seeds have now been planted in the extent, and doing this themselves. < the Sunderbans is ideal for this, clay. That was hard work. These days (Courtesy: Women’s Feature Service) Photos: Jayanta Pal/WFS as saline water regularly flows in we spend two hours every morning during high tides,” reveals Barnita and evening watering and caring for Dasgupta, project coordinator, these saplings.” Community Development, NEWS. Environmental concerns like Adds Aparna Mondal, 35, secretary the need to plant and protect the Women at work at a small experimental seed bank in the village of of the Saradamoyee self-help group mangroves in the Sunderbans are Harekrishnapur in the Sunderbans, West Bengal. in the Jyotispur Gram Panchayat, also being addressed by the NEWS which runs the Seaweed Project project. “After Aila, the realisation would definitely mean some relief villages only women are left behind in Harekrishnapur, “Seola offers a dawned that areas with greater density from the dangerous and exhausting with young children.” nutritious dietary alternative and is of mangroves had remained relatively struggle for sustenance – a way The women soon realised that extremely beneficial for pregnant unscathed. Now these women are of life for hundreds living in the there was no surety that money would women. It’s excellent food for the not only involved in planting new Sunderbans. arrive at the end of the month from people in the Sunderbans. We can trees, they also take a keen interest in The continued impact of Cyclone their husbands, sons or brothers, also sell it to baby food and diet protecting them,” says Ankita, project Aila – that hit parts of Eastern India and even if it did, the amount would supplement manufacturers. There trainee, NEWS. and Bangladesh in 2009 – has taken always remained uncertain. “With no will be a yield every 40 days if the Thirty-two year old Kanondolai’s a heavy toll, both on the environment men around, finding work became a experiment works.” house was submerged when Aila hit and the local communities in the priority for us. The panchayats have If things go according to plan, there the delta. Earlier, her fields yielded Sunderbans. There has been large- been unable to find us employment are hopes for the production of 15-30 about 10 basta (one basta equals