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D SURESH KUMAR
DEC 2: The rubble-filled haphazard terrain leading to Kendur Thakarwadi, a predominantly tribal habitat located in an obscure place 60 kms north-east of Pune, might seem slightly under-developed.
However, on reaching the top of a hillock where a makeshift community centre has been erected with a shamiana supported by bamboo panelling and decorations, it doesn't appear to be an Adivasi village. More so, when the eyes meet a model resembling India map carved out on the rough ground with bricks.
The map model was put in place by the villagers to express their solidarity with the soldiers at the height of the Kargil conflict. They collected Rs 315 and sent it to the Kargil Relief Fund through a State Government agency soon after two army men, who had come on leave, told them, ``Border mein hamare log mar rahein hain'', (our men are getting killed in the border area).
The man behind this act of patriotism among the semi-literate inhabitants is Bahusaheb Gawada belonging to the Maratha community.Educated till class VII, Gawada, after returning from his job in Kuwait, established the ``Adivasi Gram Vikas Tarun Mandal'' in 1990 to reform the people. Moved by the worsening economic and social conditions of the tribals, he initially offered them money. Then it struck him that he cannot extend monetary help for long and decided to enlighten the villagers on the ``dignity of labour.''``I realised that their future lay in labour and agriculture was the best occupation they could take to,'' Gawada told mediapersons. He motivated people by offering them clothes and vessels for doing manual work like levelling barren land and ploughing the vast vacant land in the forest around Thakarwadi.
His next target was eradication of the rampant brewing and consumption of cheap arrack. ``Even women and children were involved in the business,'' he said adding that ``many turned their ire against me for spoiling their livelihood.'' But, for the past four years not a single drop of arrack has flown in the village and``children are being sent to the panchayat school,'' he said with a smile.
The inspiration to take up community service admittedly came after a visit to Ralegan Siddhi, the native place of renowned Gandhian, Anna Hazare.The social worker's endeavours were supported by the Maharashtra Agriculture Department which took pioneering efforts in bringing 748 acres under the watershed area. Several check dams were constructed a decade ago to ensure round-the-year irrigation facility for the ``drought-prone village.''Now Kendur Thakarwadi has become a model village with people revelling in self-sufficiency. As a result, tribals have gained acceptance among the upper castes, who send their children to the same schools.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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