Dr. Smita Pandey
The pictures exemplify the horrific reality in the village Teekar Zaraayal khurd, in tehsil Rudauli, Faizabad. This typical Indian village is not depicting colonial exploitation. It is not a 19th century picture of abysmal neglect. It is a template of the false, hollow promises that successive governments, irrespective of political colours, had made to hapless poor over the decades. Every leader has brazenly promised development and then promoted his own vested interest. While their assets soared menacingly after capturing power, the populace continued to wallow in extreme poverty and are still devoid even of the mos t basic of amenities -nutritious food, drinking water, basic education, elementary health necessities -the minimum requirements of a civilized life.
More than 25 years have passed since the much hyped Panchayati Raj Act brought government magically at the doorstep of the villager. It supposedly empowered him and transformed his life. Unfortunately it happened only in the rhetoric of governance. Lakhs began to be expended by candidates in local elections, contracts of local works were given to their cronies and the poor were constantly marginalised and continue to be oppressed. Money and muscle power continue to dominate the rural scenario.
Uttar Pradesh has been just rewarded for taking the ‘lead ‘ in rural development. What is the reality of these fudged figures ? Even after decades umpteen villages in Faizabad are mutely suffering the harsh reality of total neglect and lack of any token development.
All are vociferous on one point “Kagaaz par sab kaam ho chukahain”. Sadak ban chukihain, hand pump lag chukahain, Bijli aa chukihain”
Ground realities are however totally different .The only well in the village has dried up, the hand pump is defunct. a water tank kept atop the newly built toilet is there for cosmetic purposes-it was placed there to prove that connections do not matter.
Electricity has been brought and provided through a solitary pole – which formerly provided telephone connectivity too. This ramshackle arrangement suffices for the sporadic supply. For entire weeks, at a stretch, there is none. The nallah is running parallel to the thatched huts, the stench is unbearable and constant complaints are there that the Pradhan does not listen. No safaikaramchari (sanitation worker) visits the village .On paper, the drain is paved and cleaned daily !
Swach Bharat is at its most Unswach.
The near-by sugar mill at Rauza is the main hub here. Sugarcane is cultivated in abundance. Exploitation is a constant. Farmers are not given remuneration immediately. They have to wait for nearly a year for the mill owners to pay them. They keep the local farmers waiting until the last before obliging. “Is beech hamare gharmein koi bimar ho kar mar bhijaye tab bhi hum kuchnahinkarsakte- hamarepaas tab bhi paisa nahinhota’’-this is the horrific reality which defines the lives of more than 14 lakhs of rural populace of this district.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao-by whom?
There is no health facility in the entire vicinity. Absence of basic sanitation, stagnant pools of water, sharing their confined thatched space with their pet goats and the overflowing village nullah-it is a struggle to survive on a daily basis.
Illiteracy is rife.
Education -the only avenue for advancement and employment-is non-existent too . The primary school here is the only building visible around. It caters to children up to Class 8. It has only three teachers to teach some hundred odd kids. The teachers are supposed to be wizards at multi-tasking. They are not only teaching eight different classes together, but also supervising midday meals. ensuring the toilets function without water supply (miraculously the handpump here works) and meticulously filling in various forms and questionnaires as well as providing “Suchna’’ (information) demanded regularly by a plethora of committees from Lucknow.
A teacher “ko padhane Do” (let the teacher teach) campaign is the proverbial need of the hour.
This terrifying legacy of some 70 odd years is of our own making. We elected these corrupt inept leaders .we voted on caste and creed lines. So now we must force the issue-throw out these exploiting parasitic self-enriching looters. Every time we vote and elect only honest principled candidates. Freedom and democracy include participation and therefore responsibility from us all. Let us not falter again.
