FOR THE RECORD PUSHPA ROKARE 
Hungry tribals turn to Maoists. Help us rise like Obama 

(from The Times of India April 11, 2010 page 18)

Twenty-eight-year-old Pushpa Rokare (nee Usundi ) is the only journalist from the Gond tribe,one of Indias most primitive and backward indigenous peoples.Rokare studied up to Class XII,supporting her education through the small wage she earned in the administrative section of a Hindi newspaper.Later,she started writing stories for the paper on her own initiative.This unlikely chronicler from the Gond tribe told Keshav Pradhan in Jagdalpur,Chhattisgarh about her communitys long association with the Maoist-run peoples war.Excerpts: 

The Gonds have long been associated with extreme left-wing movements.Why are they drawn to this peoples war 

Most tribals are extremely poor and without any education.They cannot even tell their age.Some are upset at government neglect and apathy.Our people eat just twice a day they mostly eat rice with imli-jor (a soup made of tamarind) or with just water and salt.They get swayed by the Maoists.

Is the peoples war seen as the way out for the Gonds  Education is vital to the success of an individual or a nation.It narrows social gaps.If Barack Obama could make it big,why cant we He has proved that all deprived people can rise to the top if they get the right kind of education and opportunity.But lets come back to us.Since our people cannot even read place names,they either get off at the wrong destination or get dropped off by the bus conductor ahead of their d e s t i n at i o n.They cannot use modern medicines correctly.Clocks or watches are of no use to them.Others can instantaneously make this out.They cheat us.

Have you ever tried to find out just how backward your tribe is compared to the rest of the country 

Oh,were yet to take-off Others are already on the victory stand.I myself couldnt do much because of poverty.Only a handful of tribals work as officers.Lately,weve been encouraging our people to make use of schemes like the Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission.The government should make our people aware of NREGA and other development programmes.Tribals dont get their share.Everything goes into the pockets of officials and contractors.Some time ago,the government started a one-house-one-cow scheme.But tribals were given sick and old cows because they dont know how to milk them.We believe its the calf that has a right over its mothers milk.

How would you prioritize your peoples wishlist 

We want schools,roads,electricity,hospitals and drinking water.Our people dont know who Shah Rukh Khan is.Only a handful of them,who live near towns,have TV sets.Weve to walk miles to fetch a bucket of drinking water.We need jobs.You cannot keep such a huge number of people idle when theres so much trouble and bloodshed.We make up more than 60% of Bastars population.

One common sight here is of tribals collecting mahua seeds or drinking liquor made from themDoes this not make them even more backward 

Mahua drinking is part of our culture.It helps us get rid of tiredness.In the jungles,youve to walk throughout the day.You feel exhausted.Moreover,you cannot ride bicycles or bikes here.But its bad to drink for the sake of getting drunk.Youll see mothers drinking mahua while breastfeeding their babies after a hard day.

Youre aware of the Right to Education and womens reservation Bill 

Theyll have some meaning for us only if we have schools.Can a woman do anything in a panchayat if she doesnt know whats what Shell be taken for a ride by panchayat secretaries and babus.

Is there anything at all that gives you reason for pride when you compare your tribe to the rest of India 

Lots.Both men and women have equal status in tribal society.Theres no dowry problem.More important,there are no saas-bahu lafdas (disputes).Our mothers-in-law treat their sons wives as their own daughters.Theres no difference between mayke and sasural.Religious conversions are rare.We worship Buda Babadev (a form of Shiva).We worship our former ruler,Prabir Bhanjdev,as a god.Our society is closely knit and we help each other a lot.We dont fell trees,we plant them.Youll see at least two dozen trees outside every tribal home.Its the outsiders who destroy the forests and wildlife.

How do tribals see Indias national leaders 

They only know Indira Gandhi because she came here a number of times.They recognize Sonia only as Indira Gandhis bahu.As I said earlier,bahus have a special place in our society.Our chief minister (Raman Singh) is known as chawal baba because he has given us rice at Rs 2 a kg and free salt.

And how do they see the Maoists 

As people who dont kill innocent people and who punish guilty government officials.Maoists dont stage fake encounters.At least they claim responsibility for the killings they carry out.But violence cannot be the solution to a problem.Things will get better if our basic needs like education and employment are fulfilled if were allowed to live with dignity and respect if were not cheated and looked down upon.

 

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