30 neighbours have shared what matters to them — in their own words.
“We have been born and living in this village for almost many years, about 40 years. Our father, grandfathers, and uncles all live here, and gradually various traditions are dying out, and the forests are being destroyed.”
“ଆମେ ଏଇ ଗାଁ ରେ ପ୍ରାୟ ବହୁତ ବର୍ଷ ମାନେ 40 ବର୍ଷ ହେଇଗଲାନୁ ଜନ୍ମ ହେଇଛୁ ଆମର ବାବା ଦାଦା କାକା ସମସ୍ତେ ଏଠି ରହୁଛନ୍ତି ଆଉ ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ କରି ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପରମ୍ପରା ସରିଯାଉଛି ଜଙ୍ଗଲ ନଷ୍ଟ ହେଇଯାଉଛି”
translated from Odia
Nearby, citizens express concerns over deforestation and the erosion of cultural traditions, lamenting the loss of ancestral ways and natural resources. However, there's a strong community drive towards positive action, including sustainable, water-efficient agricultural practices 💧 and innovative ideas for enhancing child nutrition in mid-day meals using local produce. Many also seek modest financial support to kickstart self-employment ventures 💡, aiming to improve livelihoods and secure their families' futures.
“Our grandparents lived in this village for over 50 years. What kind of changes are happening in this village? The forest is slowly being destroyed.”
“In the mid-day meal, children at mothers' and Anganwadi centers should be given various kinds of stir-fried greens, papaya curry, fruits, etc.”
“ship”
“Mid-day meals are being provided in the coal region. Along with that, if we provide forest fruits and produce like 'Chaha Dungie', then farmers will progress.”
“We must definitely preserve our culture, because our known festivals, traditions, marriages, our worship, goddesses, and gods are slowly disappearing. And we are all realizing that.”
“If I get twenty thousand rupees, I will open a fancy store and the money earned from it will support and make my family members happy.”
“We need twenty thousand rupees to buy a shop in the village. We are also getting ready to buy cows. If we don't do even one thing, we won't be able to survive.”
“We cultivate moong (green gram) as a second crop every year without water. We collect bags (of moong), and this overcomes the shortage of pulses, so we don't buy pulses from outside, saving money too.”
“In Amar's forest, in my forest, there were elephants, tigers, hyenas, jackals, and many other things, including wild boars.”
“In PDS midday meals, dal, egg, rice, and saga badi tarkari (curry with greens and lentil fritters) are being served. Additionally, various types of greens, including jungle greens and moringa greens, are also provided.”
“Shri Guru, how can we make 20,000 cash first, and by managing sales and inventory, provide us employment?”
“If I get 20000 rupees, I will open a fish shop. I will bring fish from outside, and I will also bring dried fish and fresh fish. I will sell everything. And I will go from village to village, set up my stall, spread out my wares, and sell them.”
“Yes, we cultivate the second crop without water. And cultivation happens even without water. And we collect and store those seeds. And then again, we use that for the second crop.”
“I am cultivating paddy and storing paddy seeds. I am storing Januga seeds.”
“If I get 20,000 rupees, I will buy a cow. And by milking it, I will sell the milk for money as I am not currently earning. And the children will stay.”
“Greetings to the government. There is concern about the big promises made regarding providing complete employment through self-employment. Greetings.”
“If guests and friends come to our house, we prepare Orsa Pitha, Sunuli Pitha at home. Then we make Lia (puffed rice coated with jaggery syrup) and serve Mudhi (puffed rice) with jaggery. We do not bring anything from outside.”
“In the mid-day meal, our Anganwadi center should prepare and provide various items using kodo, ragi, and Guruji's food, so that children get their vitamins.”
“I have brought brooms and will sell many of them.”
“Zero, zero, the great void, formless moon and sun. Lord Budhadoke, we Adivasi people worship him. We have kept him safe. Hope not.”
“After harvesting the paddy, we cultivate crops like moong, urad, chana, and masoor in that field without irrigation. We save these for our home. We then prepare the soil there for further cultivation.”
“shop”
“A request to the Sudha government by 2047: all forests that are being destroyed should be protected. Beyond that, in our country, people will receive all kinds of facilities, meaning poor people will get houses.”
“20000”
“For the school children's midday meal, various types of greens like Jungle Saag, Kuler Saag, Munga Saag, etc., were provided, and food was served.”
“Yes, we cultivate a second crop without water, we cultivate green gram every year, and sometimes if it's very hot, it also gets damaged. It doesn't yield at all.”
“Someone, why is no one secretly giving tea to our school children? Why not give it? That tea has good vitamins; children will drink it, and it will also be beneficial for our health.”
“If the government gives twenty thousand rupees, we will buy a cow. If it gives a calf, we will get dairy products, and we will earn, eat, and live.”
“Give Graman a kola plant and share a portion. The fruit, root, and vine of this plant are vitamins.”
