Trip 12: Blanket Distribution at Attapur & closure of Phase-I HSI work of PAKT

On 19th Dec 2009, PAKT distributed more blankets to needy villagers. The distribution was carried out in a new village named Attapur in another area of Sunderbans which was also affected by Aila. This activity was coordinated through Swanirvar. Abhijit Dutta visited the place along with PAKT's Kaustuv & Sandeepan for this distribution.
With this activity, PAKT closed the Phase-I work of relief and rehabilitation in Sunderbans for Aila affected regions. Phase-II work planned for later date (2010).

Still a Lot is Needed

Many times we repeated in our blogs that certain constructive initiatives by the administration could have made things lot easier. The basic two initatives we urged several times are:
i) Pumping out saline water from the low lying agricultural lands
ii) Disbursement of the government approved amount for the reconstruction of the destroyed houses.
The same view is echoed by a newspaper report, Aila survivors stare at winter without relief in The Telegraph.
The report is based on an area other than Chargheri, in the Sunderbans, but this is a general picture. This is exactly why we had to take up the agricultural training program in Chargheri in a more elaborate way than initially planned. Only aim is to show the villagers a ray of hope that some agriculture is possible here – they can find some livelihood.
But a lot more is to be done to bring them back to their normal agriculture based life.
Any advise, assitance and direct participation will be a big help for us.

8th trip: pics and videos

Chargheri 8th Trip dated 19th-Sep-09:
[Pictures and videos in chronological order - links to videos / pics are given in red & grey]

You can find some quite interesting videos of conversations and narrations related to agriculture in the links below. It was quite enlightening for me to be part of these communications as a videographer and I hope it will be the same for people interested in agricultural methods.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKS8g0wv13k
[Video: Breakfast at Malancha, where "parathas" are torn and sold by weight. We have taken our breakfast at this shop on the way to Sonakhali for 7 of the last 8 trips.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf2DPKYIbDo
[Video: As soon as we get on the boat we see a sudden weather change. There is a heavy downpour. Fortunately it did not continue for long. The weather held up for the rest of the day and it helped us walk on the earthen paths inside Chargheri in much easier fashion than we would have done if the earth would have become slippery from rains. ]


http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291640834629090 [Stillpic: Some of the PAKT team members who made the 8th trip - Sudipto, Kaustuv, Angshuman and Saptarshi (L to R). Debajyoti da took the pic, while Sandeepan is missing from the scene]


http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291631790948386
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291615197655650
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291620322757554
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385288255170330882
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385288275125587282
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385288300346880450
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385288325038137010
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291606837661026
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385288379373015362 [Stillpix: The stills in above links were taken on the boat. They show the various charts that the villagers have prepared under guidance of Trainers Narayan Bachar and Anjana Mandal from Swanirvar. The next training will have more such charts, especially the "Sampad" or land resource map, being produced for the other villages. Some charts will be common.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvbAgFuT2lw
[Video: This video shows how the locals use the slippery mud to drag their boats from the dyke walls to the river which moves far away during low tide. This is how we are often loaded on a boat and hauled near our main boat by these villagers at departure time when it gets dark.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBYfMZkaXYE
[Video: People are queuing up near the distribution spot for the final phase of food distribution by PAKT to identified families of Chargheri, Santigachhi, Bidhan Colony, Lahiripur & Poroshmoni.]


http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385288437409263602
http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291602272016818 [Stillpic: Snaps of the same distribution point]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngFClG5MAUI
[Video: A few of the villagers, such as the family in this video, have been smart and already started using traditional knowledge of alternative backyard farming methods to maximise vegetable yields. We can see both cultivation on elevated ridges as well as trellis (machan) farming being practised by this family.

However the percentage of people trying out the trellis method / sack method / ridge & trough method cultivation to grow vegetables is still woefully less. We hope the alternative agricultural training will help drive more people towards having backyards like this and thereby capitalise on what they have got.]


http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291559845733186 [Stillpic: Trellis farming at the entrance gate of that family's home]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTaxruOdv6U
[Video: This backyard was used as a practical demonstration of the various alternative farming methods that the trainers advised local farmers to take up in order to maximise the vegetable yields in coming winter season to satisfy food requirements of their own families. Mr Bachar explains the various methods to PAKT.

Most of these techniques may not be as effective in the main farmlands which too low to use draining methods and hence are still covered with salinity. Rice yield may not be possible in the main farmlands with many of these techniques. But these can be highly effective in the backyards of their homes which are naturally at more elevated lands. Most of the people have a significant plot of land attached to their now damaged homes where these techniques can produce enough yields for self-sufficency of vegetables.

Sack method is useful to people who have less backyard land. It maximises production of suitable vegetables while minimising land space on ground. The vegetable shoots growing from all faces of the sacks - top as well as sides - can be guided on to a trellis (machan) to allow the vegetables to grow on the trellis.

A set of beds was also prepared to create a nursery for growing seedlings 'offline' and then transfer to people's backyards.]


http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291583741902162 [Stillpic: Close up snap of a typical sack, showing growth of seedlings in it]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX2ZjukZVAg
[Video: Narayan Bachar, one of our trainers, explains the details of the sack method and 'philosophy' of selection of seeds for that method. The villagers are also being taught to prepare compost on their own from natural wastes, as also preparation of base material for vermicompost (compost with earthworms) which will be complete when they add necessary breed of earthworm to the base material.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmo18YjYfsE
[Video: This video shows that the trainers had planted 5 strands of 7 different varieties of rice in the salt affected farmlands. This has been done 2 weeks back at 2 separate villages - one at Chargheri (seen here) and the other at Poroshmoni. If some of the strands can grow even in that salty-water-salty-soil situation, then these varieties can be tried out in coming days with the hope that at least some fields can get a crop (They have a rice crop sowing season coming up in January 2010).

We can also see how some of the seeds of various vegetables, sown / scattered around the backyard a few weeks back, are all growing up with or without care being taken. The hay spread at the base of the seedlings not only helps loss of moisture so important to the tender plants, but also prevents salt from coming to the surface and affecting the plant (this generally is abetted by drying of moisture).]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMrgf-U4v7s
[Video: Trainers show us examples how the soil in the backyards of local farmers is extremely supportive of vegetation even at this stage.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv7b3btZAXI
[Video: PAKT & the trainers visit a few households that have developed their backyard vegetable farming as per advice provided by the trainers]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p7iR64PfWI
[Video: Sandeepan of PAKT, supported by the trainers, communicates to the trainees that each of them need to teach at least 3 other farmers in the coming weeks. They need to transmit the advanced knowledge gained on alternative methods to other farmers so that all can adopt these techniques to the fullest in their backyards over the coming winter season for self-sufficiency on vegetables.]


http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385291648465382386 [Stillpic: Agricultural trainers explaining the purpose of training program to the attendees of the introductory session to 3rd agricultural training program]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aylNungbdts
[Video: Sandeepan and the trainers explain PAKT's long term objective of providing the training on alternative vegetable growth techniques to as many villagers as possible.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9HjP6dFQPY
[Video: Trainers utilise the introductory session to brief farmer families on what they stand to learn (or re-learn) from the training in next 2 days.

They touch upon the topics like how to choose suitable vegetables to be grown in saline conditions, how to beat the prevailing saline conditions, how to apply natural fertilisers like cowdung & compost in backyards, how to protect saplings from drying up of soil & salt effect by covering beds with hay, how seeds can be implanted on land unsuitable for tilling by simple scattering method (instead of sowing) and supported / protected by cowdung water. These topics will be covered in more detail in the next 2 days of training.

Mr. Bachar also briefs people how it is beneficial for everyone to use natural fertilisers like cowdung. Cowdung, when used as fertiliser, causes no harm to humans consuming the vegetables (unlike chemical fertilisers) but also doubles up as a natural pest repellant as well as anti-saline agent.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AGiqlph6BM
[Video: Trainers explain how pest repulsion can be done at no extra cost by sprinkling cowdung water and also spice grinding water ("moshla bata jol") on the seedlings.

Mr. Bachar explains using common sense and traditional methods to beat the present saline conditions. He also cites others to follow the example of those farmers who had already explored such techniques (with or without advice from trainers). These people already have vegetables growing in their backyards, and others can also see the same in their backyards if they start putting in the effort employing the right methods.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaIBkAHJowE
[Video: The statements made by the trainers are spontaneously supported by a local trainee, Alok Mondal. Alok is a farmer from Posroshmoni who received training in earlier programs by the trainers (he can be seen taking down notes in videos of 1st program).

Alok reiterates that the training helps fine tune the agricultural knowledge that the locals already have. Alok opines that after knowing the specific methods, people will be able to adapt with the present saline conditions better and use these new techniques (including producing natural fertilisers and pesticides on their own) to their own benefit. He states the essential aim of this training by PAKT - they know what to do with various crops / vegetables, and the training aims to help the locals adopt the best way to do it.

Mr. Dhiren Mandal, father of Dipankar, also reiterates that the the locals stand to cut down on expenses substantially if they can at least grow their own vegetables instead of having to buy it at extremely high prices from the market.]



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjSnGprHFZ8
[Video: PAKT has an informal chat with local farmers. They explain some techniques that are proving successful at their backyards. PAKT highlights the need to spread knowledge of ALL newly learnt methods (whether by self-experimentation or by training arranged by PAKT) to others in their neighbourhood.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYWpXOk1MhY
[Video: Mrs Anjana Mandal re-explains the invaluable potential of cowdung as a natural and freely available material with three-in-one utility for farmers in farm as well as in household work: fertiliser, pest / micro-organism repellant as well as protection from salinity.]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvBhhkeHQa4
[Video: As the trainers explain how this particular backyard could be (and can still be) made lush with agricutural products INCLUDING rice. Here we can see that stray rice seeds that were washed out by Aila waters from the homes into these open backyards have taken root without any effort from the land owner. With some effort, this significantly large backyard could have yielded an assortment of agricultural products by now.

However the land owner was so far sceptic in taking up any agriculture work after Aila - a mental block that many other farmers have fallen victim to. They also narrate how the rich growth in each strand also prove the need to adopt some optimum scientific spacing for crops (varying from conventional techniques) have proven to give much higher crop yields per unit area.

As far as I learnt from Narayan-da, conventionally the farmers place a few rice strands every 6 inches while SRT (expands to Superior Rice Technique or something like that) advises placing a single strand and also increasing the spacing by almost 3 times. It is apparently proven by results all around that each strand produces many times more than the conventionally placed strands and overall yield per area is increased. However farmers need to be urged to adopt it for the first time. Some of them find it hard to get over the fear of getting low yield.]


http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip8PixCellcam#5385288452184719490 [Stillpic: A traditional lantern dimly lights up the top deck of boat during our return journey]

8th Visit report

After our second trip, we promised people of Chargheri that we will continue our relief with rice distribution till Biswakarma Puja. We could complete that commitment yesterday on our 8th trip. It was possible only because people came forward to be part of PAKT’s initiative. With support from our friends, colleagues &well wishers it we could complete distribution of around 15,500 kg of rice in last three months over 12 weeks in our 8 trips. During this trip also we carried with us 2700 kg of rice and 15 kg soyabean. This time we could not get Kachu (Arum) in the local market.

The distribution was very smooth and distribution of all rice sacks was completed by six in the evening.

We also took with us considerable amount of old clothes (in considerably good conditions) for those who will not be able to buy anything for their pujas. Many of the villagers will not like to have the old clothes for the pujas even in the distressed condition – but it was meant for those who just cannot make it.

Rehabilitation - going back to growing crop

On our way towards Charheri, we had extensive discussion with our agricultural trainers Mr Narayan Bachhar and Mrs Anjana Mandal from Swanirvar. They accompanied us for the third phase of training from 19th to 21st. The outcomes of last two trainings were discussed. In total 61 people have been trained on alternative crop production. A lot of interest has been noted among the trainees indicating they are trying hard to come back to their normal life.

With the advise of the trainers and guidance from them, the trainees have prepared a land asset map (indicating the low lying land, watrerlogged areas, flooded lands, different soil categories) of Chargheri. Also a calendar map of crops and kitchen vegetables has been prepared. This gives a nice calendar about which crop or vegetable is most appropriate for cultivation at a particular time of the year.

From the attendee list of 1st 2 trainings, we felt that villages far away from training location were less represented in 1st two trainings. We hoped that change in venue for this phase could help bring in more people from other villages. We also decided to ask attendees of other villages in introductory session and at food distribution queue to bring in more people for this training, which is really a refresher course with an emphasis on saline conditions. [From reports of our trainers on 20th September, this seems to have proved true. This time the training has been shifted to Santigachhi high school and other villages were well represented this time]

After reaching Chargheri, we visited the nursery prepared by the local people during the last two phases of training under the supervision of the trainers. Extensive use of compost manure, straw, cowdung water, raising the level of the soil in low lying areas with drainage facility, seeding in the sackful of earth – all saw the same result in the backyard gardens. Green sprouts confirmed the fact that it is possible to cultivate in the backyard plots of people. This was the one of the objectives of our rehabilitation initiative: to bring back the belief among the mass in these villages that cultivation is possible in their backyards. Just the application of the right technique and making some new additions to the existing techniques they know is all that is required to master the existing conditions in their backyards.

It is much more difficult in the farmlands inundated in brackish water. However, trial plantation of 7 varieties of paddy have been made in salty waterlogged lands of 2 different areas. This was done to find out the most suitable variety of rice that may be tried out for next year's crop during Jan'10, if that is possible in some areas.

We find that the people know of most of the techniques suggested by trainers for the backyard. Yet we could clearly see that barring few exceptions they were not adopting it across the villages. The training can help push them do what they need to do, and start doing it NOW. They can grow their own vegetables in the winter if they can succeed making their backyards lush with greenery even as the farmlands still await redressal.

The introductory training session was started in our presence. We explained to the trainees that each trainee should teach another three persons what he learns. This is the easiest way for dissipation of knowledge. To facilitate the people from the four villages other than Chargheri, it was decided that the training will be held in the Santigachhi primary school from next day. The method of training is participative. Keeping the kind of response from farmers in mind, some further training in early October will help get more people into farming mode before the middle of October when some of the seeds need to get sown.

At the end of relief phase we need to mention one point – Kaustuv from Pather Katha , our one of the main pivots of PAKT, was the only person to be in Chargheri in all the eight trips. Kudos Kaustuv. It is by no means an easy job.

Some videos of introductory session of 1st crop training program

We had a brief discussion with the trainers in the car on our way to Sonakhali:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-n9xsnVAmE

The following videos were shot during the interaction between trainers and the local farmers in the introductory session of the 1st 3-day crop training program. The program was held in Chargheri Abaitanik PRathomik Bidyalaya, a local primary school.

Inside the Primary school :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE8sTofjC50

The trainers say a few lines about themselves, and the purpose of their visit. They flag off the session in traditional fashion by singing a few lines from a local song glorifying the Sundari tree, one of the specialities of the Sunderbans [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evU00sURlKM

The trainers are made aware that farmers from 5 villages will be participating in the program [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjH3JSHVe4

Farmers of each of the 5 villages can possibly have independent problems. Trainers propose that it may be worthwhile if they (trainers) concentrate on one vilage on each day of training. (This was not required, as all farmers later confirmed that the problems were similar across all villages.) The attentive farmers are told about shifting focus from rice (their principal produce from these fields) to other vegetables for the coming winter [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npPSs9D1PRU

Trainers touch upon the important part about farmers beginning alternative crop production at backyards and plinths of their damaged houses. Even salinity resistant crops can grow only after land is freed from saline water. This is a key factor in this area, as the salined farmlands cannot be drained (our survey reports support that). The plinths are higher, and hence present more chance to produce these vegetables.
The trainers bounce off some ideas as to which varieties of vegetables can be taken up in these conditions. The farmers are told about some techniques to free the salined fertiliser stocks from salinity.

Some trainees were thinking aloud that some options will require resources beyond their present affordability. PAKT requested them to leave that worry aside for time being and pick up all feasible options from the ongoing program. Subsequently these will be assessed and resource requirements will be discussed and supported by PAKT to the best of their ability. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq8pSXivEh0

Trainers suggest pumping out water from ponds to 'harvest' rain water for the alternative crop. In further discussions though the farmers say this would be useless. The drainage system in this island is abysmal. Drained out water refuses to go anywhere and overflow from salined canals would flow back into the ponds and farmlands. In other words, elevated reservoirs would be needed for rain water harvesting. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D9ok15O0_E

Trainers look to instill confidence in farmers that the options that they will explore with the farmers are not experimental ones. All of those have already been tried and found to be productive at areas similar to theirs. When they hear the names of areas where these techniques have been implemented, all farmer express agreement that the nature of their farmlands and soil is also similar to those. One senior farmer adds that amidst post-Aila despair they are seeing hope that some people are at least trying to support them in whatever way possible. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LaVNMk0Pu8

The trainers explain to the farmers that over the next one year, the thrust will be on surviving through to the next agricultural season. Hence they need to grow specific vegetables which can provide their family a diet and thus cut back on expenses towards buying food from market. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygAS1zXzIC4

Trainers briefly touch upon some techniques to grow alternative crop. In this video they explain how rain water harvesting can be done right at thelocation where the seeds of alternative will be sowed, so that the crop gets rain water during growth. Local mounding at crop location also helps non-accumulation of salinity at the elevated point where crop is sown. Expectedly these will be discussed interactively during the next 2 days [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvYh9gDc7Wk

The canals for rain water harvesting serve as 'reservoirs' in other seasons. Now they are filled with saline water, and these are flowing into the fields to spoil the fresh water from rains. [i.e. unless saline water from these canals are emptied they will keep despatching saline water into the fields]. However it appears that these canals have no sluices into the river, hence emptying them may not be possible....can we isolate these canals at least, so that they do not 'send' saline water into fields? Also, the non-utility of the canal water will lead to the farmers not being able to get a harvest after the rains. People need to look at alternatives, even "personal" rain water harvesting if possible. Conventionally the ponds are part of personal rain water harvesting, but those face the same problems as the fields (i.e. backflow from salined canals), since the ponds are at same level as cultivable land. I almost went down into a pond beside the primary school while crossing the fields. Essentially, this feedback from farmers seemed to highlight that the cultivable lands and the ponds may well be the lowest points in the system with no drainouts available. If that is the case, isolation of rain water harvest canal is the temporary measure, and complete dewatering of that canal as well as of the fields is the long term measure required for next year's crop to be possible. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU6tprbJl8g

One of the farmers, Mr. Sarkar (I forget his first name), asked if they will get a certificate from the training. Surprisingly, he was trying to explore his career options as a full-fledged trainer who imparts training (similar to the role of the trainers in the current program)! He was requested to first concentrate on implementing the training into practice. He was also assured that if he is good at his work and is capable of communicating with people, there will be ample opportunities for him. If required, PAKT can then find a way to support him with the recognition that he is good at his job. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL-GucaRGG8

Mr. Sarkar was further explained by the trainers that there is an ongoing effort to make a 'knowledge core group' of sorts comprising of 4000 such farmers across the state who can train others. They will all be selected based on their work and their willingness to train others, rather than certificates. It has started with a meagre 35 farmers, and the group will take a long time to get fully populated with names. Hence Mr. Sarkar can always turn to that option at a later date when the immediate aim, that of implementing the solutions identified in current training, is achieved. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF05l6H3xi8

Farmers make a request. They bring to our notice that Chargheri Abaitanik Prathomik Bidyalaya (Chargheri Primary school) is at one extreme of the area we are supporting, and it would be preferable for other villages if either Kakmari Primary school or the High school at Santigachhi is chosen as the venue for next training programs. We are not sure of the modalities to make this change work, and will need to have further discussions to agree to this change. However, the very bad shape of the mud 'roads' (if you can call them so) at all places in the rainy season means some have to travel close to 1½ hours on treacherous path to attend program at this 'remote' location. Apparently the 2 alternative locations suggested above are relatively more central to the area than Chargheri Abaitanik Prathomik Bidyalaya (current venue). However we make it clear that the current training venue cannot be changed for this edition of training. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJOm5ETgCsg

Trainers egg the farmers of the 4 villages to be "Paagol" (Mad) i.e. single-minded about the purpose they now have at hand - of making some kind of produce this winter from the pieces of land they have. They need to forget the odds against them and get down to the work itself. Our trainers try to inspire them with the fact that people from far-away Kolkata like us are making this tough trip repeatedly to support them. Although we all know that there can be no comparison of our fortnightly ordeal with their life-changing nightmare, it was the need to be single-minded that our trainers were trying to demonstrate. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN_aURqkmyM

The trainers ask the farmers to go ahead and do something for us (PAKT & their trainers). They are told that they can make us feel satisfied about this work and believe that all our efforts were worth it. We will be almost as happy as they will be if 3-4 months down the line a few of them can stand up and say that they have been able to bring about a postive change in their post-Aila condition by sticking to the guns and putting in the hard yards to produce some alternative crops. [Please amplify your volumes if sound is inaudible]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaYfdoEj2lE

An outside view of the front side of Chargheri Abaitanik Prathomik Bidyalaya, where the inaugural crop training program is held. We are told that the dilapidated building on left side of the main block is a result of Aila fury. Also, we are assured that the continuation of training till Monday should not interfere with the classes (Even if it did, we would have preferred the school to remain closed for a day to let the training continue. Having this training is far more important than a day's schooling for young kids at this point of time)

Employment of some people from Chargheri at various hotels

We have missed out on highlighting to you the news of another important bit of support that we could provide to some people of Chargheri over the past 2 visits. I am including Kaustuv's email below which some of you may have already received. It is self-explanatory. This is a very effective initiative for which PAKT's Khelaghar and Biswajit da have taken a leading role.

Inspite of the desperate condition that they find themselves in, people of Chargheri have generally shown mixed responses when presented with the option of moving out for a job. Hopefully a feedback from the four people, who have already moved out by taking up jobs at Sikkim, will help some others make up their minds on taking up the remaining offers available.

--------------

"As per the commitment made by PAKT to the local people of Chargheri, we have successfully placed 4 men from Chargheri into Hotel jobs at Rinchenpong, West Sikkim. These guys halted overnight at Kolkata
on 8th Sep'09. On 9th Sep'09 they departed for Sikkim via Darjeeling Mail and on 10th Sep'09 they have reached the hotels at Rinchenpong, safely and in good health.

All the arrangements for these 4 men, since they reached Kolkata, have been done by the Hotel owner Mr. Dibbendu Ghosh. He has also arranged for garments, shoes and other necessities of these 4 men. At present these 4 men are working in two Hotels at Rinchenpong. They will undergo a training cycle of 2/3 months, after which they will be fully functional to serve the Hotel & its customers.

The names of these 4 men are - Harekrishna Mondal, Surajit Mondal, Manab Mondal & Ranjan Mondal. They are placed in the hotels, "Rinchenpong Nest" & "Norla", at Rinchenpong, West Sikkim.

This is just the beginning of the PAKT's Employment Rehabilitation program. We are planning to provide such placements to 15 more villagers from the Aila affected Chargheri area and hopefully this shall be accomplished within a month's time. At present, we are satisfied to be able to save at least 4 families by providing them an alternative livelihood.

Regards,

Kaustuv (on behalf of
PAKT)"

An eventful journey on the 7th trip

The journey from Sonakhali to Chargheri during 7th visit (05-Sep-09) was somewhat more eventful than other weeks.

We woke up early in the morning to find that the overnight wind and rain still continued into the dawn. We started a little late. On the way to Sonakhali, Sandeepan got a met office forecast that there will be a cyclone. We looked at each other for a while. None of us is a regular at river travel, especially in areas that are so severely exposed to tropical storms. We second-guessed the wisdom of making the trip with a cyclone alert in the backdrop. However all of us knew fully well that people will be waiting for our food materials at Chargheri as we have promised to come this week. Besides, the crop training was scheduled to start from this visit.

Over the preceding weeks we had to put in some effort in making this training happen. All of us in PAKT saw the importance of this training to the locals who are largely farmers. Since the time he learnt of this idea, Sandeepan in particular had put in relentless effort towards this training program. An earlier attempt to get this effort started had to be cancelled because the trainers were done in by vehicle problems on their way to Sonakhali. Trainers, thus, could not make that earlier trip. This time we were determined to start the crop training program. It was too important a program to get delayed any further. We decided on going ahead and travelling to Chargheri.

We started the journey from Sonakhali at around 11 AM. Some videos of that journey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHSESLAHqV4

[This video shows the windy conditions prevailing during most of our river journey to Satjelia on 5th Sep 2009]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL_FGen-7gQ

[The wind and rain lashed us to wetness on the top deck of the boat. Kaustuv and Sandeepan were better served by their rain jackets.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu0CXg0KO38

[The usual practice of picking up Sumo driver from Gosaba. We started from Sonakhali where we buy the rice. Mahender took the Sumo to Gadkhali and crossed the ferry to Gosaba, where we pick him up.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCj_GF5leE0

[A bird soared along with the boat for a stretch near Chargheri, as if to wish us good luck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVoYp_c98mg

[Soon the well wishing bird near Chargheri was joined by a companion. They said hi to us and then went their way.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glYl5EeCz7I

[Since the water was already receding, our boat was anchored at a distance from the banks. The remaining distance was covered on the now-familiar small boat. We also carried some bags of rice and kochu (Arum) with us as also the soya packs, so that initial distribution could be promptly started even as the material gets unloaded from the main boat.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIRIHlV1vfA

[Another common sight on our visits: A video of the small boat being dragged from the river over the mud to the distribution point. As I said in an earlier blog post, the slippery mud (which poses a serious accident risk to all who walk on the dyke paths) is a boon for this activity.]

The return journey had a little twist a well. It was dark and we were yet to start our return journey when we learnt that the cyclone warning was now a TV news. Upon return to the boat, we learned that the boat hull had been punctured at the bottom by a blow from the anchor spikes during lifting operation. Some repair work had thankfully been done to 'cover' the return journey.

Midway through the 3 hour journey we realised that water still kept seeping in though the repair work. We checked it out. Thankfully the rate on seepage was evidently too low to raise an alarm. Also, the boatmen were attentive to that . They kept throwing out accumulated water from the boat hull manually from time to time.

The good wishes from the two birds on Ganral river near Chargheri were desperately needed on our way back as well.

Agricultural Training Phase II

From tomorrow Second Phase of Agricultural Training on alternative crop cultivation will be starting at Chargheri. The first phase of training program, initiated during our last visit (on 5th September), was successfully completed on 7th, covering over 25 farmers from our five villages: Chargheri, Parasmani, Santigachhi, Bidhan Collony and Lahiripur. The training started with a great enthusiasm almost 40 farmers were present on the first day including a number of women folks. Trainers are happy with the keen interest of the villagers and the trainees are satisfied after learning something new. The trainers from the NGO
SWANIRVAR, Mr Narayan Bachar and Mrs Anjana Mandal, will again be back to Chargheri Primary school tomorrow (on 11th September) to resume the second phase of training with a fresh batch of 25 farmers. This time the trainers will distribute some seeds to the trainees of last batch so that they can start experimenting in the field. The trainers have suggested for arranging lunch for the trainees to ensure uninterrupted day long training and PAKT has readily agreed to arrange for the same. The responsibility of food and lodging of the trainers during these three days will be taken care of by Purbasha, our local group of friends. We have requested the trainers to identify at least 10 trainees from the last batch who can impart further training to some more farmers in the villages. This way we will try to benefit maximum possible villagers from this agricultural training program.

As advised by SWANIRVAR, the farmers will have to start working with the new techniques in their fields by October 15th. That is essential to have a crop of suitable vegetables during the coming winter. The seeds can always be handed over to them before that deadline but the key part is making hundreds of farmer families aware of what needs to be done with those seeds under the prevailing conditions.

The only way to achieve this is to train 2 or 3 batches of farmers through external trainers and then getting the rest of the farmers trained by these trainees. In other words, trainees will need to become trainers within a span of days. This is easier said than done. The first thing they will need to do that is some initial work on their fields with the alternative methods.

To achieve this, we have tried to make sure that the trained farmers start on their fields within days of receiving training. This is the principal reason behind PAKT distributing seeds to first lot of trainees this early. Subsequently they can train others in their villages about the procedures learnt by them. This is the only way to attain the target that by early October, majority of the villagers will be ready to make productive use of the seeds that PAKT plans to support them with.

Crop Training Program: Introductory session

It is a matter of sweet coincidence that the alternative crop training program for farmers of Chargheri was initiated in Chargheri on Teachers' Day, the 5th of September. Furthermore, it was arranged inside a primary school, Chargheri Abaitanik Prathomik Bidyalaya!

The first crop training program was a 3 day session for around 40 farmers (including women from farmers' families). Introductory session of this program took place on the 5th of September in front of PAKT. The attendance was a little lower on this day due to heavy rains and cyclonic weather which prevented many farmers from the distant villages to come. [Request you to spare some time and look into the videos at the bottom of this post to get a feel of the terrain that they need to cross to reach any destination far from their homes on a rainy day]

A lot of effort went into arranging this program. The training was given by experienced trainers Shrimati Anjana Mondal and Shri Narain Bachar on behalf of an NGO, 'Swanirvar'. We liked what we saw in the inaugural session of the training program. Clear communication was happening between trainer and trainees. The trainers clarified that the purpose of their visit was to provide guidance to the trainees and to agree on some proven solutions, rather than imposing something new on the latter. The trainers asked for feedback from the local farmers to chart a way forward. The trainers also urged the locals to leave aside the despair they must be having within and be single minded on the purpose for which the training is arranged.

The locals too appeared to be eager to make a success out of the knowledge they gain from Swanirvar trainers. A senior person amongst farmers said that they can see the brighter side when they find people from far off people coming to help them. They were assured by us that they will be supported by PAKT further down the line in their effort to get a produce.

This 1st phase of 3-day training has now been completed. We kept in touch with the trainers over these 2 days of hands-on workshop following the introductory session to keep ourselves updated with the progress. Also, we needed to check that two of them were confortable as they too were visiting this area for the first time.

We are awaiting the detailed report from the trainers. The feedback sounds encouraging from both sides. However the amount of land that each trainee can take up right now is likely to be substantially lesser than the total land owned by him / her. This is mainly because of the absolute non-existence of draining facility to help empty the brackish water from their fields and ponds. This is so frustrating..... if only there could be some miraculous way of emptying the area of the trapped saline water in their inland rain-water irrigation canals as well as fields. Or a not so miraculous way of someone relevant in the administration driving to execute this critical need of these villages and getting the dewatering done from all the areas in the next one month's time.

Some videos of the mockery of a 'path' that we traversed to reach the school from distribution point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoYrdUjo18w
A major part of our walk from food distribution point to the primary school (venue of crop training) consisted of plodding in the stagnated water on the erstwhile paddy fields. It served a direct reminder that if Aila had not happened then these fields would be sporting a lush-green-with-crops look instead of the depressing state they are currently in. Also, these are quite dangerous for unintroduced people like me to be walking on (A Purbasha guide was leading me along with Shri Narain and Smt. Anjana - but I fell way behind on both up and down trip). There may be ponds on the sides of these plots. Also, almost all plots have local deep cuts from which earth has been taken away for bund reconstruction work. On the way back I fell in one of those by deviating from the route shown by our 'guide' (the Purbasha volunteer) and promptly found myself standing in chest deep water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3JOd9nbeWU
In this video we are seen to be heading towards the venue where local farmers are waiting for us. This slippery entrapment is all that the locals have got to use as a road to travel. These mud paths are better when dry, in that at least standing still is not an ordeal. When these get soaked with rains, the mud gets really slippery. Any travel from one area to another on these 'concoctions' is like an adventure sport. To be able to travel some distance, especially climb up /down a slope, without having a fall feels like a triumph.

We from PAKT do it only during daytime, that too once in a fortnight on a special mission....and we still get daunted by the risk of it. Not without reason though. Sandeepan has already picked up a cut below the foot and an upturned toe nail in two separate trips while moving in the mud. And it is a miracle that the others amongst us have not had some more such injuries. The locals - they need to 'travel' on it every day (and also during the night if required with no illumination around) to go to dyke work, to go to the riverside for "bagda maara", to visit the market place for buying essentials, to go to the doctor, to visit the nearby shop for a sudden household requirement and to rush back home upon hearing that someone in the family is sick or injured. Children need to do it to go to school and come back.

Often these roads would have a break and the connecting part would be a plod in the inundated fields (including a treacherous climb down from the slope, as well as an equally harassing climb up). By the time we reached Chargheri, It had rained for over 24 hours and there was a cyclone warning. The location of this primary school selected as venue was near the distribution point (a mere 20 minute ordeal) which is at an edge of the area covered by PAKT. Hence a number of farmers must have needed to travel over these over miles to come to the inaugural program on alternative crop training organised for them. We were lucky that the rain held up specifically at the times we were moving through these areas.

Reaching the school: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip7Pix#5378309831895574290

The PAKT banner on display at distribution point

SEVENTH TRIP COMPLETED

A landmark trip for us. We could finally start our rehabilitation initiatives. The initiative was kicked off with the training program on alternative crop production by the trainers from the NGO SWANIRBHAR, and the inaugural program was scheduled with our visit. This was practically the main reason for which we decided to proceed to Chargheri on 5th, despite heavy shower and cyclone warnings and met the cyclone on the way.
Two trainers (Mr Narayan Bachar and Mrs Anjana Mandal) from SWANIRBHAR, accompanied us for the first phase of training. With help from Purbasha volunteers we could identify 50 trainees beforehand. Many of the farmers from far away villages and could not come due to the abominable condition of paths (if we can call them even paths) connecting villages during heavily rainy days like it was on 5th September but attendance is expected to increase in the following 2 days. The trainers met them in the primary school building of Chargheri and started the first phase of training program for 5th to 7th. They will discuss in detail the available practical options on growing vegetables in lands “poisoned” by saline water and guide the farmers to implement those options.
It is doubtful if the other part of the training, the practical hands-on training in fields, will be possible in this phase due to inclement weather. The condition of fields after these 2 days of rain may not help either. However following the initial interactions and positive responses from the local farmers, the trainers are confident that they can still be given enough training in the first phase for them to make a start and for them to spread the word around in their respective villages on the techniques to be adopted and crops to be selected.

Food Distribution
The food distribution was not easy this time. We have to take a smaller team (six only) to accommodate the trainers. Purnendu, a friend of Debajyoti-da joined us for the first time. The river was full of waves and from the mid river (where the boat anchored), the PAKT team has a tough time to move to the distribution point on land. The volunteers of Purbasha also had a much harder task in downloading and taking the rice and arum (kachu) sacks from our boat over the sticky and slippery mud. Braving sudden spells of torrential rains, almost 2100 persons came to the distribution point. With great help from Mahendra (he drives our car almost every time and join us for Chargheri instead of waiting in the car) and Purnendu, we could distribute almost 2100 kg of rice along with kachu and soya nuggets very quickly. We continued in dark till the last person in the line is served. The only source of light for verifying the cards was the torch lights held patiently by the volunteers of Purbasha. What is left (around 700 kgs of rice) will be distributed in the next few days by volunteers of Pusbasha.

Rehabilitation Program
At the starting of the distribution, like the earlier weeks we again informed the people that the relief stage involving food distribution will be over by 19th September and we will move into next stage – rehabilitation. Biswajit-da, our seniormost team member from Khelaghar, has already arranged for unskilled jobs for five local youths in the hotel industry. With not many opportunities available for alternative occupation in the village, it will be a good opening for them. Biswajit-da is trying hard to place another 10-15 people in similar jobs. With the agricultural training started, we hope to provide some restoration of the agricultural livelihood. As advised by Nilangshu, the key person from SWANIRBHAR, who responded to our request for arranging the training; the seeds will be distributed to the farmers by mid October. PAKT has already committed to bear all expenses for training and distribution of seeds.

PAKT Banner
So far we have not used any banner of PAKT. We did not feel it is necessary. But since our last visit we found that quite a few members of our extended team (everyone who supports the initiative), who could not accompany us, is getting confused that all things are distributed with a banner of PURBASHA in the background. So to clear the confusion, we just put up a simple banner during this trip.

Problems
Our main concerns still remain
i) Getting water out from the low lying agricultural lands. We know we cannot do it, but some initiative from irrigation department will be very helpful and we can motivate the villagers to carry forward any good suggestion in this regard. In the very least the backflow of salined water from these main rain water harvesting canals to the farmlands & ponds needs to be immediately arrested. If we can achieve at least that miraculously in the coming few weeks, the farmers have an outside chance of emptying their ponds and holding some water from any October rain to bring up their crop in the coming winter. The emptying of main canals can then be carried out in coming months.
ii) Proper restoration of the embankment. On our way to Chrgheri this time we observed that in some locations, the newly formed embankment showed signs of breach. Chargheri is still surviving, but not sure how long it can hold on
iii) Mobilising the government fund for restoration of houses. This is also something we could not help directly, but believe something needs to be done
We appeal to the people of extended PAKT Team and our well wishers to help these cause

PAKT banner

We have been asked a common question by some of the readers of these blogposts: "Is it you or Purbasha doing this relief work?" Some of the queries are from contributors to PAKT effort. When we tried to look for the reasons behind this common query, we found that most of the people in our video interviews referred to 'Purbasha' the eco-tourism group as the organisation that distributes relief to them. They do not seem to be well aware of PAKT's contribution to the relief they get, perhaps because they 'see' only Purbasha at the distribution point. Even the pictures we share show banners of Purbasha.

Till date we (PAKT) have not put up any banner during our activities at Chargheri. Purbasha is a local eco-tourism group that was already known to the locals before Aila happened. Now in this post-Aila phase, Purbasha are not only playing a 'visible' role in the final step of distributing the relief after our boat reaches Chargheri, they also put up their banner at each of the distributions. As a result the general impression that comes out to commoners is that 'a group of people from Kolkata' are coming regularly and Purbasha is doing this with their support. The name PAKT is not known to many people.

Why have PAKT not put up their own banner? The answer is simple. We never had any intention to put up photos of our banner and let people see those. Trying to publicise the PAKT name is something that we never intended to do. We are not 'regular's or NGO's. PAKT was formed only to carry out this effort. Yes, we do try to publicise this relief & rehabilitation work going on at Chargheri through the net and email communications. But it is done solely to bring in more help for the people we are supporting. Publicising the name under which this work is being done is the last thing on our minds.

The principal reason for sharing the pictures and videos was to update our contributors about our activities. We owe it to them that they learn in detail where there money is going. Another purpose of bringing the videos & snaps up on the net is to demonstrate the need to support people in the area we have chosen. The PAKT group at Kolkata felt that presence or absence of PAKT's banner did not have much to add or take away from the purpose of PAKT.

PAKT had no objections to Purbasha putting up their banner and publicising their participation in this welfare activity. They were our local facilitators and were also contributing to the effort. They too are providing the support to their village folk as a welfare job. Besides mobilising their own people at Chargheri to handle huge foodstocks on every visit, Purbasha's contribution also includes meeting us at Kolkata in between visits to chalk out way ahead, distribution of cards, passing important information to locals and such other supporting work. If they wanted to put a banner up for that participation, we did not see much harm in that.

However the 'invisibility' of PAKT at distribution activities, essentially our unwillingness to announce ourselves, has resulted in a lack of awareness of people about the name 'PAKT'. PAKT's contribution is well known amongst people though. We can assure you that the people there know each one of us in PAKT very well. It is just that they are not particularly aware that our collective name is PAKT. They visualise us as "the Kolkata guys that bring in the stuff for Purbasha". We really did not care about it as long as the job is getting done.

Now we know that this invisibility of PAKT is a reason of concern and query for our contributors and supporters. We will take full heed of that concern. We will strive to make more people aware of the critical role of PAKT in the activities being taken up. This will start right away from the coming visit to Chargheri on 5th September. Purbasha have also offered to spread the word on the leading role played by PAKT in the welfare activities that are reaching them.

A banner is expected to help spread the name of PAKT amongst the people we are supporting. Hence we shall have a banner pretty soon!

Update: Here's the banner. It was displayed in the distribution venue durng seventh visit. This snap is clicked there. The role of PAKT was also announced to the people who collect assistance from us.

Topics covered by survey carried out in 6th visit

• To assess further need for relief
• To assess if the distribution process was acceptable to people
• To assess needs of people for the coming months outside of food
• To assess impact of Aila on people’s livelihood
• To list common professions practiced in the area before Aila
• To list options available to earn a living after Aila
• To assess impact of Aila on infrastructure
• To assess receptiveness of people to alternative professions and to obtaining training for alternative earning options

UPDATE: SOME VIDEOS RELATED TO SURVEY

Debajyoti da's conversation with an earthwork labourer who used to cultivate land before Aila

"On the walk" Survey - part 1 of 5

"On the walk" Survey - Part 2 of 5

"On the walk" Survey - Part 3 of 5

"On the walk" Survey - Part 4 of 5

"On the walk" Survey - Part 5 of 5

The 5th trip: in pictures and videos

Visuals are sequenced in chronological order:

1) Journey to Satjelia-Chargheri:

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765359990764562 A typical sight at Sonakhali: materials being loaded for transportation across / along the river

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrJr_uw_UJ0
Video: This is a mid-river view of the dyke repair work going on near Sonakhali.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlNCPmnXxZo
Video: Kochu (Arum) was also included for distribution on 5th trip. It is a low cost food item, with no side effects envisaged.

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765400903491234 Snapshot of 'kochu' sacks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lbKDomS7s4
Video: As usual, we took 54 bags of rice, totalling to 2700 kg (to be distributed with 200 kg stock remaining at Chargheri from previous distribution)

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765479445006578 Young Sharafat's arkwork on his papa's boat

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765620644867394 Another illustration on the same boat (surely not by Sharafat)....

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066036532608194 On the route, we went past villages where some women were busy catching fish & prawns on the riverside

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgNWOVIiNyY
Video: A patch with such dense cover of vegetation in deep water is a rare sight even in the Sunderbans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nPiY1GkAQ4
Video: The team making the 5th visit (putting faces to names)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyFP4cS9y48
Video: We kept dropping time along the way today, and arrived at Chargheri close to 3pm - more than an hour later than last time. Combined with shifting diurnal tide change time, this meant water had already receded significantly by the time we came.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNqU_auz9YE
Video: We explore the tidal entry route, and then go back into the river for an entry from the low tide muddy route. This meant significant time delay in transporting goods to distribution point
[For a contrast, view the video link of tidal entry for 4th trip Chargheri arrival at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8mpRdEENds]

2) The distribution at Chargheri

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066315688151474 Arrival at Chargheri: A nice shot courtesy Debajyoti da. You can see the boat in the distance - it stayed there for unloading for another hour and consequently got stuck as water receded further. While returning back after distribution, we reached the boat at 7-15pm and waited on it till 8-30pm (with no ray of light except 2 battery torches) so that the tide returned and boat could float again....The far side of the river is starting point of the wilderness ruled by the Bengal Tiger

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765762180314594 Avijit feeling his way through the mud on his second visit
[video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDYm9WyWpWk]

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066358767559314 Transporting the stuff to the distribution point is a tough affair in low tide. It was unloaded from our larger motor boat into this Purbasha boat. Then this boat had to be physically pushed through the mud to the bank.....

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066390712696098
....and only then could the stuff get unloaded for distribution. High tide is preferable any day.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066411330359666 http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765829391073778 Felicitation: It was a little embarassing for us that they insisted in felicitating us under a shed in front of the multitude waiting under the sun for hours to collect their rightful share of bare minimum food. But in any case the materials were taking a long time to be carried from our boat to distribution point due to the low tide, and we thought the schedule of distribution could not get any further delayed by accepting the sentimental requests from the local people (mainly Purbasha) to felicitate us with garlands and sweets. It was a brief affair in any case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPu-OIYv7Ns
Video: The 2 distribution points at either end of the temporary distrubution shed. As highlighted earlier, 2 points of distribution are necessary for quicker disposal of material to the waiting people

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765998229130066 Another view of the 2 queues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5wEt_eTDrg
Video: Dipankar arranged for some microphones to communicate essentials of the distribution (2 queues, materials getting distributed, next distribution after 2 weeks etc) to the people in queue

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066666369542226 Card based distribution for Lahiripur, Bidhan colony, Santigachi and Porosmoni

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765958943282498 This is the other point of distribution, where Santanu, Debajyoti da, Angshuman (myself) and Mahender were distributing....[note: I did not remove the garland presented to me at the felicitation by a little kid hardly a couple of years older than my daughter]

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066747266766658 Dipankar distributing essential medicines, assisted by Debajyoti da

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaustuvlive/SunderbanAilaReliefWorkPhaseV#5368066530961034162 Ticking off the cards after handing over requisite quota of material

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765870942328242 Distribution was finally over at dusk

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765911022372226 http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765930890800322 Our turn to play rice sacks: The Chargheri volunteers load us on a boat and push us through the mud into the river where our boat is stuck on the river bed

http://picasaweb.google.com/angshu2909/ChargheriTrip5PixCellcam#5368765934413460946 Purbasha volunteers and the boatmen ask to get snapped as we board back into our boat for return journey to Gadkhali

HIGH FIVE

Fifth Mission

The fifth mission is completed – at 3 am of night. We have a fabulous trip this time - reached during ebb tide and had to wade through more than a km of sticky mud to reach chargheri, our launch got stuck in mud during low tide and delayed our return journey by almost 2 hours, we had a scaring car journey from Godkhali to Kolkata in torrential rain with visibility less than 15 m, our people back home were too worried. But we are very satisfied. We could distribute almost 2500 kg of rice among 671 families in our list (total 721) in little over three hours. Our card system worked fine. Indeed there were some complaints like someone's child is not ocunted in card or one or family members will be one more. We asked all to take their grievances to our local volunteers from Purbasha. But if anyone with a child in his/her lap complained about missing a child's count in card, he/she was obliged with a milk packet even if the it is not marked in card. This time with 1 kg of rice per head (for two weeks), we also distributed one Arum (kachu) per family and powdered milk for families who has children of age between 1 to 6 years. The Arum received good response from the vilalgers. We went to Chargheri this time with 2700 kgs of rice, 440 kgs of arum, 185 milk powder packets (full courtesy to our Khelaghar friends) and medicine worth Rs 3000. We mainly gathered medicine for common problems like worms, skin problems, stomach troubles, but a doctor remains ever elusive – we need a doctor who can help the villagers with right medicine.
Will any young doc volunteer ?

Are we missing out some?

we have finished our distribution and suddenly found a few anxious faces from the Parashmani village. They didn’t featured in the list, and despite our requests, that we cannot accommodate anyone outside the list, they waited all day. Their look says clearly they are real needy but it’s a dilemma. If we start accommodating people outside our list, again the old problem will come back, we cannot handle the whole Chargheri arew. Somewhere we have to stop, but it is tough to ignore people's hunger.
In such helpless situation the old question comes back in mind: what the Government is doing?? Why they are not still taking a proactive role? We cannot satisfy the whole Sunderbans.

Felicitation

Purbasha, the Eco-tourism group of Chargheri, responsible for setting up the local volunteer team for distribution of our relief material, with the villagers, arranged for a felicitation of PAKT members. Extremely embarrassing for us. We put all kind of resitance, logic etc etc. , but finally has to succumb to their sentimental requests. It is a simple and touching function - all of us were garlanded by local people and sweets were offered. We briefly explained about our future plan to continue at least till September end and mentioned about all the supports we are recieving from the friends of PAKT, who are not physically present there but providing us resources.

Back to life?

We heard a mike blaring out in Chargheri and came to know that the contractor engaged in temporary repair of embankment is organising a Kali puja, to celebrate the success of finally preventing the water from entering the village. When waiting in our mud stuck launch – we heard from far, a little sweet voice reciting “mone kore jeno bidesh ghure ‘ – then a folk song on Aila (I could hear a line”henokale Aila elo”). Cultural program on the occasion of the Kali Puja. So people of the village are coming back to life slowly. We salute this spirit and that is why we want to help these people. But some assistance remains illusive. We heard that the local Panchayat member Mr Mandal has assured that the Rs 10,000/- assistance from Government for reconstruction of houses will reach before the pujas. Still no sign of that! We can just hope that the government will take care of their need for a home before the pujas.

Planning for PHASE V

Revised List Ready

We sat with Dipankar today evening. Dipankar came down from Chargheri with the updated list for our distribution. Now the number of families are 721. As we told that quite a number of cards are damaged last week and also some people were found to be missed out, we have decided to issue a new set of card based on these revised list. Surely it’s a headache for us now to print the cards in Bengali and put them in some kind of card holder. But we can solve it.

Cost cutting:

Good news, we have been successful in reducing the cost of our expenditure for hiring the boat (Sonakhali to Chargheri and back). It is now Rs 2300 per trip now. After some discussion, Purbasha, thelocal volunteer group working with us has agreed to share Rs 500 per trip and a boat owner has agreed to reduce the rent to Rs 1800/- per trip. So we save Rs 1000 per trip. Next was rice. We started at Rs 12.50 per kg, but last two week the rice sellers at Basanti did not buzz a paisa from 13.50. No Dipamkar come u with a good idea to procure directly from the people who prduces rice in the mill – not from the wholeseller. This may give a price reduction we are looking for. He will confirm the possibility by next Wednesday. A ray of hope – a savings of Rs 1 a kg will save Rs 1400 per week, almost 100 kg rice. Good bargaining.

Additional Supply

During our third visit as soon as I got down from the boat, a villager very politely asked, " any vegetable this time?" I was too embarrassed to say no, could just manage to mumble "no, we are concentrating on rice only". But we vowed if possible sometimes we will try to give them some vegetable, they almost forgot the taste. Considering cost and local people’s liking, Arum (simple kachu) was selected. It will cost us Rs 900 to provide each family with one Arum. Just the amount we saved from boat. We are really feeling happy. Also there is a need of some 10 pieces of polythene sheet to provide sheds for tuition classes for the students . With almost half empty stomach, people are still thinking about education. Again, it is a mutually beneficial effort for both student and teacher . So we immediately decided to supply this next week. The cost may be something like 2500 Rs. But we will spare it. Dipankar has also brought a list of medicine,

Ground reality

Again we try to assess from Dipankar how people are maanging. We know what we are giving is less than bare minimum. We came to know the help earlier coming in that area from different benevolent organisations has almost stopped. Their only supply line is our weekly assistance and that from Forest department. Yes, the forest department is supplying 1 kg of rice per week per family and 200 gm pulses. The distribution is done from local ADC (? Will try to know about it) office. So government is doing something, but far less than the required. Some people are working on temporary embankment rehabilitation and earning some amount. To buy essentials.

So planning is complete, waiting for the mission next week.