The%20Risky%20Climb%20of%20Ratnapandi

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The Risky Climb of Ratnapandi

• Rural Economic Environment And Policy
• Learning Group-1

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ISSUES

• Shouldnt these people deserve to get- a genuine
  land reform, education, health, shelter, work
  opportunities.
• No support from Government through any schemes.
• Falling prey to the vicious cycle of debt trap of
  commission agents.
• Backwardness and illiteracy.
• Return on investment is very less.
• Nadars, prone to severe diseases.

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MAIN ACTORS

• 1) Ratnapandi Nadar(panaiyeri)- Risks his
  life to
• climb.
• 2) Rani- cooks the juice in a huge open
  vessel.
• 3) Commission agents( tharagar)-charge high
  rates
• of interest from the Nadars.
• 4) Karukavel Nadar and his associates-
  victims of
• absentee landlords and commission
  agents.
• Tamil Nadu Kisan Sabha activists

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EXPERIENCE FROM RLLE

• No relief measures for the Rai community in the
  tribal villages in the Santhal Pargana region in
  Jharkhand. They are very poor people who are
  devoid of Government schemes.
• Middlemen in the village Bhutti of Langigarh
  block used to exploit the leaf plate makers by
  paying less price.
• In Kandhamal district of Orissa, most of the
  farmers were traditional turmeric growers but now
  they are discouraged to grow due to over
  exploitation of middle men and lack of Government
  support.

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GROUP PERCEPTION

• Drinking Toddy is very much prevalent in various
  areas. In the villages people use the date palm
  juice more for making Toddy for their personal
  consumption. Mostly Sugarcane is used for
  producing jaggery.
• Due to no direct exposure to such an area where
  the business of producing jaggery from Date Palm
  juice is prevalent, we have limited understanding
  of the real life scenario. Thus we present here a
  few suggestions that we as a group thought would
  be helpful in improving the situation of the
  Panaiyeris.

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SUGGESTIONS

• Intervention of a NGO/ Government story before
  the MFI movement, does MFI ever reach the real
  poor?
• Organising them into SHGs
• Bank Linkage (for Savings and Finance)
• Technology linkage with KVIC, palmgur
  federations, innovation networks etc.
• Improved market for palm jaggery due to
  eco-consciousness!

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• It's amazing how reading 8 lines in a book can
  have such an effect on me... I read this and
  closed the book. It went untouched for several
  days. What was really scarry is that two days
  later while I went for a 4 hr walk on the cliff
  hills of Mirissa -  I spotted a man who was
  climbing coconut trees.  I sat down and watched
  him for 15 minutes - moving from tree to tree
  with only a rope around his feet and a machete
  tucked into his trousers just picking coconuts. 
• Abhay(1) Praveen(31)
• Abhiroop(2) Rashmi(38)
• Dheeraj(12) Sambit(41)

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Group No.2

• Recycling Energy - Godda style

Amit Kumar Garg- 08 Prashant Sharma-30 Sanjeev
Mohapatra -43 Shruti Rao- 48 Siva kumar-
51 Vikas-59
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The issue

• Dearth of alternative livelihood opportunities
• Underpaid Wage Mechanism
• Threat to existence

Case Facts

• Daily Wage earnings (as low as Rs. 10/day), as
  compare to the prevailing minimum wage rate of
  Rs. 30.50/day
• Source of livelihood for 3000 families engaging
  1000 cyclewallahs functioning on daily basis
• Livelihood based on illegal practices
• High level of corruption
• Increased susceptibility to diseases like TB,
  chest pain, torn muscles, respiratory ailments
  etc.

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Key characters

• Koilawallahs
• Corrupt contractors on government schemes,
  policemen, Local Thugs
• Housewives
• Rajmahal officials (the coal source)

Situation Analysis

• Hazardous and muscle tearing livelihood activity
• Multi caste Activity
• Coal Supplier (Raj Mahal Coal Mining Project
  officials) state it as a National Saving
• How long a man can take itdo they have other
  remunerative options???

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RLLE

• Location- Villages of Madhupur block of Deoghar
  district of Jharkhand.
• One can frequently see the koilawallahs carrying
  quintals of coal on their cycles in this area.
• The area is a potent tusser cultivation hub. Can
  entrepreneurship in the same be an option?

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LOCATION EXPERIENCES
Madhupur Tusser cultivation, Leaf plate making
Kathhiwada Basket making
Sambalpur, Orissa Carpet and broom making , Tendu leaves collection hardships similar to Koilawallahs
LG 2 Recycling energy, Godda style
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koilawallahs

• Id meet koilawallahs porters specialising in
  carrying charcoal into town. In fact, it was
  these porters, who were able to carry double
  their own weight - over 150 kg - that amazed and
  intrigued me.
• What was their life really like? What did they go
  home to? What did they dream of? Were there any
  other opportunities for them? How much were they
  in control of their own life? Was the charcoal
  they were making leaving the mountains deforested
  or providing a motivation for them to grow more?
  - J. Gabriel Campbell
• ICIMOD

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The leaf that topples governments

• LG 3

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Key Players

• Madhya Pradesh Govt.
• Private contractors.
• The Phar munshi (official incharge)
• The tendu-leaf collectors (Puthuli, Pyari)
• Politicians (power), poor (survival),
  manufacturers (beedi), undoing of cooperatives.
  Forest department,

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Case

• Earlier private contractors used to purchase
  tendu leaves from the tendu-leaf collectors,
  paying them a pittance.
• The tenduleaf collectors then started selling the
  leaves to the Tendu Marketplace to the official
  incharge, the Phar munshi.
• During Arjun Singhs tenure a three-tier
  cooperative structure was formed to sell the
  tendu leaves.
• But, when Sunderlal Patwa (BJP) came into power
  he brought in the traders again, which led to the
  toppling down of the BJP government.
• Among all this, the tendu leaf collectors were
  the worst sufferers. The hardship that they
  faced in the face of all these changes was
  immense.

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Tendu scam in UP changing contexts

• Besides, it has also been alleged that he was
  involved in the tendu patta scam which cost the
  state exchequer crores of rupees in revenue
  losses. Coincidentally, an enquiry into the
  tendu patta controversy was earlier conducted by
  K Prasad and it was alleged that the bundle size
  of the tendu leaves was deliberately increased to
  exclude the smaller traders from bidding in the
  auction held on March 26, 2002 and, in addition
  to this, the bigger tendu patta traders were
  favoured by selling these tendu pattas at a much
  lower price.
• Ekta Parishad welcomed the nationalisation of
  tendu patta (leaf) trade, but now it is fighting
  the corruption in the system to achieve the
  legitimate entitlements due to the tribals.
• the Chief Minister (MP) and contractors were now
  being engaged in the State for tendu leaf
  collection.

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Story of Ama Sangathan

• A tribal women's federation of 21 Mahila Mandals
  in Kashipur Block used to sell brooms to the
  government.
• They were not getting a fair price.
• Now they have organised themselves into a group
  and have started selling brooms to the private
  contractors wherein they get more benefits than
  what they received earlier.

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Rural Economic Environment and Policy

• The Vanishing World of Birhors.

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Issues

• Deforestation
• Endangered livelihood of the Birhors
• Ineffective public distribution schemes (health,
  Red Card, housing).
• Tisra fasal
• Marginalised yet not criminalised
  non-acquisitive dignified people.

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Characters

• Birhor tribals
• Government Officials
• Panchayat
• Intermediaries in the development schemes aimed
  at the tribals
• Political Activist (Mr. Narendra Chaubey)
• Census officials in classifying Birhors

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Relation to the RLLE

• Santhal tribals of Giridih, Jharkhand affects
  their livelihoods (MICA excavation) due to
  decreasing cover of forests.
• Decrease in the collection of NTFP due to
  deforestation (Juang Baiga tribes).
• Exploitation of Jhuria tribes by TDCC.

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• Contrary to the commonly held view, the Birhor
  population has not been diminishing rather they
  are getting redistributed as a result of the
  dismantling of their traditional economic
  activity.
• http//epw.org.in/epw/uploads/articles/209.pdf

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ORISSAS BRICKS OF BURDEN

• Presented by
• Learning Group - 5

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• MAIN ISSUE
• Crude exploitation.
• Need for a comprehensive and integrated labour
  reform legislation.
• Regulation of the unorganised sector.
• Improper wage employment, irrigation programme.

• MAIN CHARACTERS
• Landless / marginal farmers of Bolangir
  (Orissa), working as brick-kiln labourers.
• Supervisor.

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Similar Experiences (RLLE)/Summers

• The fishermen hiring the net and boat from its
  owner are forced to sell the fish catch to the
  owner of the boat and net, at a price much below
  the market price, and are thus trapped in the
  vicious cycle of poverty (Ganjam, Orissa).
• Similar plight of industrial workers in Solan
  (H.P.)
• Are these migrant populations?

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Issue of labour laws have they changed
recently?One who goes of his own volition and
not through contractor has no redressAIDS and
migration.Has migration decreased or increased
in these areas? Have they been moving elsewhere?
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Surgujas Unwritten Silent Ban on the use of
Bullock-carts

• Issues
• Poverty Even a bullock-cart is an advanced
  costly technology.
• Unemployment
• Silent Ban Cost benefit Analysis done by people
  reasons other than emaciated bullocks and
  dangerous forest trails

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Main Characters

• Bullock Bullock-cart
• Poor and rich farmers
• N S Ramaswamy and CL Narasimhan on contribution
  of the cart economy

• Relating Case To RLLE / Summers
• During RLLE, we thought it to be the poorest
  district or place

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How situation has changed since then?

• Nishi did summers in Surguja
• Agriculture is not the only source of livelihood.
• Introduction of various govt. schemes
• Wahan admi aur bayl mein ab farak hai.

Presented by LG 6
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Surguja Bullocks

• The question of visibility where do we look for
  the poor, bullock carts, moneylenders etc.
• Other signs of poverty and distress role of
  bullocks
• Silent contribution to the economy of bullocks
  and the poor

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Hills of Hardship LG 7 ISSUES

• Merciless exploitation of poor and helpless
  Paharia people by the mahajans (moneylenders /
  traders)
• Development of the region Unfulfilled promises!
• Human Beings just another mechanised objects
• The most deserving, the least benefitted!

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Main Characters

• The Victims
• - Dharmi Paharini (firewood)
• - Guhy Pahariini (water) distance of
  Bombay to Delhi 4-5 times a year!
• - Chandrasekhar Paharia (crop)
• Giridhar Mathur ( Santhal Paharia Seva Mandal)
• Dr. Suman Daradhiyar and Dr. P. K. Verma
  (Investigators)
• NGOs, political struggles

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Relation with RLLE / Summers

• Similar plight of Lanjhya Saura tribes of
  Gajapati District, Orissa with respect to water,
  connectivity and livelihood.
• Korva tribals of Musakhol village , Surguja ,
  Chhattisgarh have to travel 22 K.M. to fetch
  water from the river.
• Bhil / Bhilala tribe, Jhabua , M.P. Resources
  in plenty but no channelization.

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Scenario after 15 years our view

• Participatory development is practiced but at a
  slow pace
• Role of facilitators between the govt. and the
  beneficiary is increasingly felt
• Question of sustainability and independence still
  to be addressed
• New jargons and initiatives inclusive growth,
  India shining, microfinance where it will lead
  to ??

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www.ignca.nic.in/cd_05019.htm

• Sachidananda INTEGRATION OF ENDOGENOUS  CULTURAL
  DIMENSION INTO DEVELOPMENT
• The steps taken by government for their welfare
  have largely bypassed them, and they remain one
  of the most backward tribal groups in the state.
• the Badlao Foundation has shown ways in which the
  tribals in the area and other people can help
  themselves. It has also set an example for other
  voluntary organisations to work for sustainable
  development in tribal areas.

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Rural Economic Environment Policy

• Presentation by
• Group 8
• On
• The plight of Kahars

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Our Case Main Character

• Kahar (also Kadar or Kadhar) community
• Inhabitant of Santhal Pargana region
• Concentrated in districts of Godda, Banka
• and Bhagalpur
• Population around 15,000
• Previously bonded labourers
• Traditionally agricultural labourers, porters,
• animal rearers and unskilled workers

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Issues confronting Kahars

• Social sanctions
• Treated as pariah
• Ostrasiced
• Alcoholism and dwindling numbers
• Economic marginalisation
• No land
• No permanent employment
• Negligible purchasing power

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Issues confronting Kahars

• Educational deprivation
• All pervasive illiteracy
• A few educated, but unemployed
• Political insignificance
• Out of radar
• No reservation
• Unawareness about rights

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Commonness with our RLLEs

• Lack of year round employment opportunity
• Illiteracy
• Alcoholism and illiteracy
• Unawareness about minimum wages
• Possessed no agricultural land, rampant migration
• Educated unemployed

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Securing Rights Citizen report on MDGs

• Sainath observes that the peculiar links between
  land, labour, credit and market have trapped the
  peasants into perpetual penury and dependence.
  Efforts to strengthen the human resources of the
  poor must recognise that, unlike the non-poor,
  the absolute poor are trapped in a situation in
  which economic growth and social development are
  interdependent. The strong interrelationship
  between economic growth and social development
  highlights the vicious circle wherein low growth
  spawns low growth and poverty breeds poverty .
  The legacy of poverty is often passed from one
  generation to the next.

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And His Name Was Tuesday

• Group 9

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The Issue

• Plight of Bondas due to
• backwardness and popular prejudice (has this
  changed over the years, their literacy rate!)
• Implications of growing exposure to outside
  society
• Lack of house building skills

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Main Characters

• Bondas
• Outside society
• Malkangiri Collector Mr. G.K. Dhal
• Bonda Development Agency
• Mangraj (school teacher) Ahilya (helper)
• Mangala Chalan (first matriculate)
• Gusum Adibari (first working women)
• Police Officers Bus drivers

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Relation to RLLE

• Nat Community (nomads) Anjani (Dist. Saran,
• Bihar)
• Zuang Tribe in Gayalmunda (Dist. Keonjhar,
  Orissa)
• Similarities
• Mores and folkways
• Traditional practices in conflict with the
• outside world
• Society in transition pros and cons

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UNICEF and Bondas

• a joint initiative between the Department of
  School and Mass Education, Doordarshan (The
  National Television) and UNICEF. Its aim was to
  build positive advocacy for girls education and
  encourage parents and community to enroll more
  girls in school.
• In Orissa, there are 320,000 out-of-school
  children, of which almost 200,000 are girls.
  There is a huge gap between the educational
  achievement of boys and girls. Twenty out of the
  states thirty districts have female literacy
  rates lower than the national average. Only 44
  percent of the children enrolled are girls and
  tribal girls make up only 18 per cent of the
  total girls enrolled.

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RURAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND POLICY

• ARTICLE
• FOOTLOOSE,NOT FANCY FREE

PRESENTED BY, LEARNING GROUP- 10
LEARNING GROUP - 10
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THE ISSUES

• The article expresses the difficulty in designing
  a plan for the footloose migrants, so as to
  defend their rights.
• Footloose migrants are those who go anywhere they
  believe it is possible to scrape out an
  existance.
• Hence the foremost problem is to trace them.
• People do so when there is lack of alternate
  Income Generating activities in the local area
  when the agricultural output fails.
• High expenditure of the families that migrate
  leaving the elders in the village and then visit
  them weekly to share food.

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LEARNING GROUP - 10
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The MAJOR CHARACTERS

1. Marriappan Family in Puddokkottai district.
2. Manickam Family
3. Raj Kumar, an economist who participated in the
   project to tract representative groups of
   Migrants.
4. A.Kalidos, a Kisan Sabha Leader in
   Tirukkattapalli who pondered on unionizing the
   regular agricultural labour.
5. Muthuswami who lived in Thanjavur- who threw
   light on the case of families that migrate
   leaving the elders in their village.
6. Dr. K. Nagraj of the Madras Institute of
   Development Studies did research on the
   footloose migrants

LEARNING GROUP - 10
2
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Live Experience From RLLE

• The natives of the tribal village Patharia
  migrated to Kolkata for labor job. The ladies
  mentioned no specific job they did. With the
  intervention of NGOs they were now organized and
  sent money to their families through bank
  accounts. The ladies were involved in making NTFP
  goods. Gents visited their house once in three
  months.
• In the villages surrounding Jagdalpur (MP), the
  footloose migrants came regularly for chiefly two
  professions to work as rickshaw pullers or
  construction labourers. The influx of these
  migrants in a particular season led to the
  contractors reducing wage rates by up to 40 .
  Thus the migrants suffered when many like them
  migrated to the urban areas.

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LEARNING GROUP - 10
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GROUP PERCEPTION

• The cases mentioned in the article are the dire
  circumstances.
• As reflected in a case in Live Experience the
  situation is much improved in areas where there
  is NGO intervention. They create bank account of
  the villagers and so money transfer is cheap and
  easy.
• With the intervention of NGOs and government
  programmes in villages, local people are getting
  work to some extent and in these cases the
  situation is slightly better. Otherwise the
  plight of footloose migrants still remains in
  poor conditions.

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LEARNING GROUP - 10