The team from Sanatkada lead by Kushaji went door to door talking to women in the village. We were able to speak to a few people to understand the given conditions. We were also able to find the hospitality of an elderly villager 'Rautji', thanks to the persistence of Meenaji.
The class distinct became apparent when Rautji preferred sitting on the ground while everyone else was sitting up. It took a good five minutes to persuade him to sit next me.
It also became apparent speaking to people surrounding us that the village was deeply divided on caste lines. There were 42 wells in a village of 1100 people. People from one community do not touch the water or food of the other community.
While there are a number of young people around, they do not seem to be interested in progressing further. A 'Shikhsha Mitra' in the village could identify only three young boys who would go on to do well in life. The general tendency now deeply rooted was to sell land which is now quite expensive in area.
In the conversation with Rautji, it also became apparent that misogyny was deeply rooted in the culture. His comments were vehemently refuted by the women in the team. We tried to change his views though it seemed difficult.
'Diye taale andhera' (it is darkest under the lamp) was the summary description offered by Rautji for life in Kumraura. I would agree!
The class distinct became apparent when Rautji preferred sitting on the ground while everyone else was sitting up. It took a good five minutes to persuade him to sit next me.
It also became apparent speaking to people surrounding us that the village was deeply divided on caste lines. There were 42 wells in a village of 1100 people. People from one community do not touch the water or food of the other community.
While there are a number of young people around, they do not seem to be interested in progressing further. A 'Shikhsha Mitra' in the village could identify only three young boys who would go on to do well in life. The general tendency now deeply rooted was to sell land which is now quite expensive in area.
In the conversation with Rautji, it also became apparent that misogyny was deeply rooted in the culture. His comments were vehemently refuted by the women in the team. We tried to change his views though it seemed difficult.
'Diye taale andhera' (it is darkest under the lamp) was the summary description offered by Rautji for life in Kumraura. I would agree!
Figure 3 - The empty chair at Rautji's home, he is twiddling with the plastic cup. He was kind enough to offer everyone tea but may not have liked to have it at his neighbours.
Thanks to Ameenaji we were able to profile the village, a second time around. We have been asked to visit in a month's time once the crop has been harvested. Hopefully we will be able to conduct the social mapping exercise with a group of village residents.
Brahmadeoji and Amit have been a quiet presence all along, agreed to plan this a few days in advance to be effective.
