What prompted so much interest in Dongria Kondhs?

It will be a long night, with the people you hardly know, but still feel safe with them. Kumtadi made me sleep inside her house. The house was clean and well ventilated. Majhi had left for his village by now. Before leaving Majhi had told me that I should be careful about mosquitoes as deadly malaria is quite prominent in this region. He had also informed me that recently there were many cases of malaria and help came from only Vedanta for the treatment.

Kumtadi was sleeping next to me on the floor. "It's a strange feeling to be with the unknowns and yet feel quite secure because of them only". Kumtadi in her broken language tried to explain me the different notions flowing around about their community. "We are made international figures, though we clearly don't allow people to peep in our community life". It was very clear that, like her, none of the Dongria Kondhs like the way they were being presented and paraded in various forums, particularly by International NGOs.

The night was getting darker and as usual, I was going into my thinking mode. So many question and their temporary replies, but one question that still traces my mind is that what prompted so much interest in Dongria Kondhs? A primitive tribe, not written by anyone so far about their habits, liking and disliking, their temperaments and their actual culture, but only about their resentment towards Vedanta project . Is it a spread of perception by International NGOs against Vedanta Bauxite project or is it their actual concern about the Dongria Kondh tribe. My heart does not allow me to believe that these International NGOs are actually concerned about Dongria Kondhs tribe at all. To be honest Dongria Kondhs have become a subject of their survival and livelihood by way of funding. The issues are directly connected with Bauxite mining in India forget about Orissa. Vedanta happens to be only the company who is putting a lot of investment to built up Bauxite mining in India after a gap of good many years.

Then why Dongria Kondhs have been involved in the entire issue ? My mind is searching for most convincing reply.

According to me, in a democratic country like India, the softer issues like Environment & Forest , Pollution, Tribal, Land acquisition, Displacement etc. become more of political issues rather than issues of concern. The International Activist NGOs have understood to exploit these issue to their advantage and stall big projects in India, thereby halting the entire development process. The hidden agenda is, not to allow India to prosper and position itself globally. But it is pathetic to involve such peace loving, Dongria Kondh tribe for their personal agenda. You can see every other International NGO or people having no connect with tribal issues, getting unnecessary media attention and prominence.

I can bet that none of the Dongria Kondh tribe member would be able to relate to film like "Avatar", rigorously promoted by international activist NGOs.

I would like to strongly request my friends to support the thought of Financial Auditing of International NGOs Funding in India and necessity of this being made Public. On one hand this would act as a tool for scrutiny of their funds, in the interest of India , and on the other hand, the NGOs who are genuinely involved in the social development of the society, would get genuine prominence. At this moment, I feel I have this solution for minimizing the damage being done.

Oh God !! Its already 4 in the morning. Dongria Kondhs are early birds. I can see a lot of their community members gathering at center location of the village. Soon they will disperse for their daily work. The whole family works and eats together in the field.

Their silent communication is more to be understood from heart, rather than to be demonstrated and paraded in various forums.

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