To reach Bopoli for a meeting around afternoon you have to take a bus from Roha to Nagothna as early in the morning, as possible. Walk about half a kilometer from Nagothna bus stand to reach the “six seaters'” stand. Now, board a six seater to Shiu, from Shiu take an auto to Bandhan, from Bandhan take a six seater (again!) to Kelaghar. Don't sigh so soon! You would still have to walk for about 2 km. to reach Bopoli. If you have Sopan bhau for company, he would tell you that you would actually have to walk up to the top of the hill, visible in the horizon and cross over to the other side to reach Bopoli! All he wants to have is a laugh at your urban vulnerabilities. And believe me, you would laugh too! You will never be as relieved to realize you have been conned, ever. The village is situated at the foot of the hills and not beyond it.
“I am explaining the ideology of the sangathan see if you want to be part of it”, Taai said to the gathered crowd. “Sangathan is about having faith in yourself. It is having faith in the abilities of your own feet to carry you to your destination. Sangathan thinks every human being should learn to walk on his/her own and only then, they can cover a longer distance. If a person offers you to carry you on his shoulder, you are dependent on his whims. Today he might carry you, tomorrow he might not. Build sangathan and accept its ideology, if you think walking on your own for your self is important. Welcome the sangathan if you want to take responsibility of your actions and your future. Because sangathan would only do as much as you would do for yourself.”
People of Bopoli had a tough choice to make. 30 families of tribals of Bopoli were fighting for their land rights. They were tilling 63 acres of land for over two decades and were fighting tooth and nail as the absentee landlord of that region was trying to sell off the land. There is a State Act that helps people buy the land they are tilling for 12 years or more at a nominal price. Sangathan members from other areas were helping people understand the Act and get the land through this route. On the other hand, another NGO offered to buy this land at the market price from the landlord for 13 families and hand it over to the families in a ceremony. This brought the dilemma home in Bopoli. The community was divided in their opinion. Some were willing to walk the long way, and some others, very understandably, not.
We left Bopoli around 4.30 PM after a late lunch with roasted dry Bombay Duck (the fish), lentils and rice. As we walked towards Kelaghar I asked, “Taai, what if they decide to go with the other NGO and take money?” She was unfettered. “It would be their decision. It is probably first time that they have options. Most of the time they don't even have a choice. The community is at crossroads. It is our responsibility to describe the path as it really is. And also the fact that sangathan building involves a lot of work on their part. If they want the easier option, the larger sangathan should accept their decision. If they decide to walk the tough path they would come knowing the potholes and then no one would be able to deter them from building their own present and future, as they want it.”
I uttered under my breath..Amen!
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