Reality of the Ravine

The landscape is bleak, for miles on end. In the fields, there is no growth of crops, only the growth of guns and more guns. Life is an everyday test of survival. Dacoity and Banditry are the only means of getting food and money. Society is firmly divided on Caste lines, and Superstitions dominate. This is perhaps the picture in the interior heartland of India. The world outside does not get a glimpse of this real India, but for the people in the heartland, the factor of reality is based on survival. This is the reality of the Ravines, in particular of the largest and the most inhospitable one in the country. This is the story of Chambal, a province in Northern Madhya Pradesh, stretching for over 1000 sq.km.

I was watching a documentary on ETV Madhya Pradesh about Chambal. They were going into the history of the region and also why Dacoitism and Banditry flourish in the region. But, my focus in this post is going to be regarding the practice of Superstition and the societal orientation in the region. It is these two factors which have made survival the critical issue among the people in the region of Chambal. Even the Feudal Landlord system is prevelant, and therefore the spectre for conflict arises even more. Despite the large Chambal river flowing through, the landscape is still barren, thus increasing the hardship of the people and also presenting a dry and inhospitable terrain.

The age old practices of Child Marriage and Sati are very much prevelant in the deep corners of Chambal. It is because of these two factors that dacoits are made, as in the case of Phoolan Devi (see below) shows. It was because of moral outrage towards society by which she tooks up arms. It is also the case of the powerful landlord system by which hundreds are driven into becoming dacoits and robbers. Illiteracy and apathy has led to many people becoming frustrated at life itself. All these above factors present an ideal scenario for increase in Crime.

The social conditions in Chambal are a very indication as to why Casteist Oreintations present a threat to the very development of individuals. Isolating certain sections of the population, while preferences are giving to Elite classes will create conflict, thus degenerating the social order. Also, the very absence of Vigilance, by both Government and Police, means that there is no control over happenings and it becomes an accepted mode of life. The scenario in Chambal should be an indication that Casteism needs to be Purged from all societal aspects of India. This will result in the mainstreaming of all sections of society, thus contributing to the development of the country.

People will be mistaken if this situation will remain confined to the borders of Chambal. If the people of India do not pressurize the government to initiate change, then this will even affect them in the long run. Already, people travelling by road, train through this region have suffered number of robberies, and the situation just goes from bad to worse with each passing day. It is about time for genuine and embracing reform practices to come to Chambal, rather than the practice of damaging superstitions. The very hardship of life that people have to go through has been documented grimly by Shekhar Kapur's film "Bandit Queen". The story revolves around real life Dacoit Phoolan Devi, and this gives an insight as to the realities of the Ravines of Chambal.

While I am writing this, the cosmopolitan India will indulge in more Business Deals, many people will ppan their Holiday ventures and also several business ventures. Teenagers will go on bikes and paint the city red with fun, while they smoke Hookah and eat in all the fancy joints and discuss about EPL, Cricket and other sports. But for the people of Chambal and the heartland of India, another day passes where in they have managed to survive the hardship that life dished out. They all wonder when will the hardships end. When will the myth be shattered that being a Dacoit will not achieve the means? For how long the people of India blindfold themselves to the happenings of the Real Bharat? One conclusion can be drawn from all this: Chambal illustrates the presence of an India within India. The heartland Bharat, coping with all kinds of Problems that are potentially ruinous, while there is a Cosmoploitan India indulging in all wealth and ignorance. For them, reality is about survival, while for Urban India, reality is immediate luxury.

They say "Ignorance is Bliss", but in the case of Chambal, it will and may not be a wise thing. Chambal highlights the grim fact of Multiple realities within India, and the elite public may decide on it only by the factor of Perception and Convinience. This is the real fact that the Ravines of Chambal dish out.