[Reader-list] Villagers of Saleli in Goa yearn for support, but there is none coming now.
Via: PREETU NAIR
They are fighting a lone battle-
Villagers of Saleli in Goa yearn for support, but
there is none coming now.
PREETU NAIR
preetu.nair@gmail.com
(Article appeared in Gomantak Times, Panjim edition ,
Goa dated 29 December,2006)
SALELI: When the villagers rose in revolt on December
28, 2005 against their Khase (landlord) and the stone
crusher operators, they had a reason to be angry. But
now a year later, the attitudes here are complex and
results stark.
After the initial hue and cry, for many, the pain of
Saleli villagers stayed largely invisible, rarely
touching the consciousness. Even the Saleli Anyay
Nivaran Kruti Samiti established to give villagers
justice and comprising of "popular" human rights
activists have failed to support them, leave aside
ensuring justice. With the initial euphoria over, the
hapless villagers are now fighting a lonely battle.
"Now, we are fighting a lonely battle, with very few
people to help and support us," said a villager N
Gaonkar.
Still theirs is a tale of lives shattered, young men
suddenly disappearing and families getting split due
to financial problems. Now they find themselves on the
crossroads. Living under grave limitations, knowing
that the risks that they run are many, the villagers
have started to feel the heat. Majority of them,
especially men want to take the easy way out. While
women like Radhika Gaonkar want to take the less
travelled route, filled with unlimited struggle for
survival.
Perhaps experience has taught 70-plus Radhika that
this is their last chance to save themselves and the
village. "If we fail now. We will never be able to
raise again," she said. This wisdom comes from the
bitter experiences she has had in the past.
The story goes like this. More than 30 years ago when
the powerful Khase Krishnarao Rane sold off the kaju
(cashew) plantations, on which the poor villagers
depended for their livelihood, to the Forest
department, they had united to fight against the
decision and ensure that they get their land back. But
their Khase, who promised them tenancy rights and
jobs, divided them. Several years later, they are
still trying to get tenancy rights.
"We were illiterate then and trusted our Khase. But he
never helped us. Our literate youth should never fall
into the divide and rule trap. If we are united, then
sooner or later our demands will be met," opined
Radhika. She and other women know it is time for them
to continue the fight. If they don't, no one ever
could.
However, her brave words fail to hide the fear that
has gripped the village, which is reeling under the
shock of the sudden disappearance of a young man with
three children. Besides, since last one year, there
have been two suicides and one accidental death in the
village. This has left the villagers scared and they
believe that the village is under an evil influence.
"Such things ought to scare us and with no help in
sight, things are only getting worse for us," said
Chaya Gawas.
Moreover, they are disillusioned by the system and
don't trust it anymore. No wonder when the government
officials went to inspect the stone crushing units,
the women gathered and demanded, "Before you start the
crushers, please throw us in the Mandovi".
What really upsets the villagers most is that the
uncertainty continues, as some people with the help of
powerful local politicians indulge in divide and rule.
And a walk in the village reveals a bigger and
shocking reality: they have almost succeeded.
They are fighting a lone battle-
Villagers of Saleli in Goa yearn for support, but
there is none coming now.
PREETU NAIR
preetu.nair@gmail.com
(Article appeared in Gomantak Times, Panjim edition ,
Goa dated 29 December,2006)
SALELI: When the villagers rose in revolt on December
28, 2005 against their Khase (landlord) and the stone
crusher operators, they had a reason to be angry. But
now a year later, the attitudes here are complex and
results stark.
After the initial hue and cry, for many, the pain of
Saleli villagers stayed largely invisible, rarely
touching the consciousness. Even the Saleli Anyay
Nivaran Kruti Samiti established to give villagers
justice and comprising of "popular" human rights
activists have failed to support them, leave aside
ensuring justice. With the initial euphoria over, the
hapless villagers are now fighting a lonely battle.
"Now, we are fighting a lonely battle, with very few
people to help and support us," said a villager N
Gaonkar.
Still theirs is a tale of lives shattered, young men
suddenly disappearing and families getting split due
to financial problems. Now they find themselves on the
crossroads. Living under grave limitations, knowing
that the risks that they run are many, the villagers
have started to feel the heat. Majority of them,
especially men want to take the easy way out. While
women like Radhika Gaonkar want to take the less
travelled route, filled with unlimited struggle for
survival.
Perhaps experience has taught 70-plus Radhika that
this is their last chance to save themselves and the
village. "If we fail now. We will never be able to
raise again," she said. This wisdom comes from the
bitter experiences she has had in the past.
The story goes like this. More than 30 years ago when
the powerful Khase Krishnarao Rane sold off the kaju
(cashew) plantations, on which the poor villagers
depended for their livelihood, to the Forest
department, they had united to fight against the
decision and ensure that they get their land back. But
their Khase, who promised them tenancy rights and
jobs, divided them. Several years later, they are
still trying to get tenancy rights.
"We were illiterate then and trusted our Khase. But he
never helped us. Our literate youth should never fall
into the divide and rule trap. If we are united, then
sooner or later our demands will be met," opined
Radhika. She and other women know it is time for them
to continue the fight. If they don't, no one ever
could.
However, her brave words fail to hide the fear that
has gripped the village, which is reeling under the
shock of the sudden disappearance of a young man with
three children. Besides, since last one year, there
have been two suicides and one accidental death in the
village. This has left the villagers scared and they
believe that the village is under an evil influence.
"Such things ought to scare us and with no help in
sight, things are only getting worse for us," said
Chaya Gawas.
Moreover, they are disillusioned by the system and
don't trust it anymore. No wonder when the government
officials went to inspect the stone crushing units,
the women gathered and demanded, "Before you start the
crushers, please throw us in the Mandovi".
What really upsets the villagers most is that the
uncertainty continues, as some people with the help of
powerful local politicians indulge in divide and rule.
And a walk in the village reveals a bigger and
shocking reality: they have almost succeeded.
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