In Jharkhand, some atmanirbhar villagers built a road for the village after repeated appeals to government went unheard. Taking the idea of an atmanirbhar India (self-reliant India), the villagers from Balsera took matters in their own hand (literally) and are now using a road made by themselves. We have all heard of bureaucrats not acting in the best interest of the public, however, this is a rare development where people joined forces and chose to find the solution of the issue.
Details
Many Indians would remember the cult Hindi comedy show Office Office. The show starred Pankaj Kapoor as Mussadi Lal Tripathi, a common man. The show was a satirical critique of bureaucrats failing to do their jobs due to greed, incompetence or mere procrastination.
Villagers from Balsera were also in the shoes of Mussadi Lal Tripathi as their complaints regarding the condition of a road were being unheard. However, they decided to take the atmanirbhar path and have created an example.
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The Facts of the Matter
In 2005, Ashutosh Gowarikar directed Swades which starred Shahrukh Khan. The film showed how a village came together to create electricity supply using the nearby waterfall. The inspiring scenes showed what power of unity and diversity can achieve.
Taking a cue from Swades, villagers from Balsera in Simdega district, Jharkhand, worked day and night and built a road all by themselves.
The Issues Villagers Faced Due to Lack of Road
The report is certainly inspiring and shows the power of unity. However, it pushes one to wonder as to why they had to do such a thing when it’s the government’s responsibility. According to reports, the villagers faced several issues as the village remained unconnected. The issues worsened when some locals needed to be rushed to the district hospital. Further, even school children faced problems in going to school.
Like any concerned group of locals, the villagers also took to many government officials and representatives. They wrote applications and appealed to elected officials. However, their appeal was met with deaf ears and no development could be made.
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How Did the Locals Build a Road on Their Own?
The villagers chose not to waste more time and decided to collaborate and put together a road by their own might. Every villager contributed in their own capacity which included lending tractors, buying construction materials. Some villagers chose to stop their own work and worked on building the road.
Local Patients Used to Go to Hospital by Foot
Earlier, the villagers faced problems as the only way they could reach the nearby town to get essentials or the hospital was using the pathway that had no concrete. The pathway’s condition was such that cars, tractors, ambulances and other vehicles used to get stuck. The problem had got to a point that the locals, if they ever wanted to go to hospital, used to prefer going by foot.
“Rainy Season, Villagers Faced Severe Problems”: Local Resident
According to a News18 report, a local was quoted saying, “During the rainy season, for 5-6 months, the villagers used to face problems in going to the nearest town. Even walking was difficult during these times and vehicles would face difficulties in passing through this route. Students too were facing problems in going to school,”
Meanwhile, after the locals built the road on their own, the news spread like wildfire. Taking heed to the matter, local MLA took to the village and assured the locals that he would take the matter to other MLAs.
