"Dongria Kondhs have not authorized any person to talk on their behalf", Majhi

Kumtadi hugged me and insisted on taking me to her house, which I gladly agreed. . The night was approaching. Kumtadi was holding my hand, I was deeply touched. The tears rolled over my smile as we all three walked into the woods, Majhi was following me as the lanes were not that wide. I was very excited to know the social life of Dongria Kondhs (Kandhas). Kumtadi was narrating and Majhi was actually translating. My ears were hearing Majhi but my eyes never moved from Kumtadi.

Kumtadi said, "Dongria Kondhs are very peaceful people and the families remain united. We care for people around us and have high mutual respect. Though the man of the house earns, but we females have equally important role. The eldest of the family and village elderly are highly respected. You will not find our children, dis-respecting their parents or village elders". It was amazing to feel the organized family structure of Dongria Kondhs. I wanted to know about Kumtadi's marriage, she blushed. "Haidi" (marriage) is very auspicious and we prefer marriage, only once we become adult. My instant question was weather she had a love marriage? Kumtadi started laughing, and refused "No No...No love marriage, it is all arranged marriage. I got married 3 years back". What about your children, I asked laughingly. "Two, both girls, the darlings of their father", she said.

We could now see some structures like a village from a distance, it was where Kumtadi lived with other people of her community. As we reached close, we could see some ladies and a few male members sitting under a tree. We walked straight towards Kumtadi's house. Her house was like a hut, built on a strong floor and had two partitions. Majhi told me there is one big room and a "Dhapa" (small room). There is also one small balcony in the front. Kumtadi took me inside her house. I could see a small kitchen with many utensils, clean drinking water stored in metal pots, a small "chulah" and a "lantern". The house was clean and well ventilated. Her kids were being taken care by mother-in-law, "Kustaddi", who was sitting next to a cowshed, which Majhi told me is called 'Hada Sala'.

Kumtadi introduced me to other Dongria females, I can recollect only two names, 'Rami and Rinjai'. My mind was ticking towards so many questions. Is it the same Dongria Tribe that is being projected for blood shed and demonstration by a number of NGOs and individuals. I can bet, these NGOs would have never interacted with them and now I'm also sure they have a different undisclosed agenda. Majhi told me, "Dongrias do not interact with strangers and are very simple. Our innocence and non-connectivity with other communities deprive us from correct information. We believe what people tell us. We are known for living in our own system". This was strange. Then how come so much is available on the net and in print about Dongrias speaking about so many things - pollution, demonstration & protests and violent behaviour? For the first time I saw Majhi, a visibly disturbed person.

He moved and sat at a distance and asked, "Are you afraid of me?, Did I harm you?, Did any of my community member questioned you? My reply was a strong 'No'. I believe in what you say Majhi and also any other member of your community. "We trust you too Agyan and that's why I am moving with you for the last few days", said Majhi. "You must be referring to some photographs being circulated where Dongrias are holding some banner against Vedanta factory. These banners with slogans are completely misleading . Dongrias have held some banners, but Dongrias do not know what is written on them. If you see who all are holding the banners, you would understand what I mean." continued Majhi.

"Dongrias do not know who talks about them, their desires, their issues, and their sentiments to the outside world. Dongria Kondhs have not authorized any person to talk for Dongrias. So much is being spoken but so far we have just laughed it away. But now it is affecting us. Dongrias privacy is being exposed by these NGOs. We have lived in poverty for years, with no schools, no medicines, no doctors and over and above the epidemics. Today, Rami's daughter goes to a nearby Vedanta Child Care Center with my son and daughter. Two females from this village learnt making Leaf-plates. They are getting more money now and their living standard has changed, we have medical facility", said Majhi. Then who is this Kumuti? who has been advocating on behalf of Dongria Kondhs. "Oh Kumuti, he is from a village called Kendubardi, and has two sons and two daughters. We heard he has been talking to a lot to foreigners and NGOs and has also travelled abroad. He has been talking on his own, and we do not support him. I told you, Dongrias are shy and do not engage in day to day conversation with outside world. Perhaps the NGOs and few people are taking advantage of it", said Majhi.

Majhi, Kumtadi, Tudu, Rami, Rinjai, Kustaddi and so many Dongria Kondhs I met. Perhaps their innocence is being taken for granted. I did not find any person other than their community member interacting with them, or Dongria Kondhs engaged in any kind of conversation with any stranger. This made me accept that the voice of Dongria Kondhs circulating all over the net and the world, is actually the voice of certain NGOs and people, with an agenda of their interest, and certainly, not for the benefit of Dongria Kondhs.

It's late and Kumtadi is not allowing me to leave, she has cooked dried fish with rice for me. She has also brought "Irpi Kalu" (it's a natural liquor) in a bowl which I politely refused. By that time Majhi had brought "Mada Kalu", which he described as palm juice. Kumtadi is a good cook, more so, I could feel her warm hospitality. I have to spend the night in this beautiful village with so very much genuine people.


The Journey Continues .............................


I would like to thank for the overwhelming response that I am getting from a number of people from India and Abroad and a large support from various Indian NGOs who perhaps were unaware, misinformed and worried about the community.