Manpada, KORAPUT: Six decades have already passed since independence. Still a spring, only a nature made spring to quench the thirst of … people of Manpada village. If water is the synonym of life, what name shall we give to their living? This is the naked truth of the village.
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Manapada: Villagers carrying water (Photo: Sujata Kumari Jena) |
Manpada is a small village of Padmapur panchayat in Koraput district. There are four streets in the village. Most of the residents of this village are illiterate. Their main occupation is agriculture. The villagers depend upon only one source of water for their daily needs and cultivation. There is no proper water supply in the village. They use nearby spring water which is not conducive for their drinking and cooking. The people are deprived of pipe water system. Despite frequent complains, the district administration and local leaders are very apathetic to their demands. They are leading just a better life than the stone-age people in the 21st century. Being illiterate, they are unable to communicate their grievances to the administration. On the other hand, neither the district administration nor the local leader feels it necessary to provide them their basic needs. Only an eyewitness can believe that the village has no tube-well, though above one thousand people are living in it. Forget about education and health, the people are unable to get a glass of pure drinking water. Women and little girl children travel 2 kms every day to fetch a bucket of clean drinking water. During summers the situation even becomes more critical.
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Manapada: Natural Stream - drinking water body for villagers (Photo - Sujata Kumari Jena) |
They are leading in an unhygienic condition. They are forced to use dirty and polluted water during rainy season for domestic purposes. Naturally they are suffering from several water borne diseases. So the administration should come forward to save thousands of lives.
(Sujata Kumari Jena is studying Journalism & Mass Communication at the Central University of Orissa, Koraput. Before doing her journalism and mass communication, she did graduation in Political Science honours. Her interest areas are women empowerment, political story and crime story. After completing her PG she desires to work in print or television and prepare for NET exam. She can be reached at sujata.jena27@gmail.com)
A good issue to bring it upto the public..great job done..
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krish
great work . Water has been a great issue of concern and good to take up such issues . However the item leads the readers to more of words playing to explain the writer's emotions rather than on the facts and figures . While writing such items , we could go to the history of water sources in the village , We need to have some specific names from the village to speak on their grievances . We have to note down their approaches to the administration for making things better . An interview with the panchayat officer , block level officer , Sarpanch , Ward members in this connection would through more light .Add some photo to your item . good effort , keep it up.
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