“The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
But I’m strong” – The Hollies
The lyrics above are from the song “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” by The Hollies. Although the song takes on a different meaning, the intro of this song stuck with me. I find it quite fitting, and reminds me of my initial journey in the Fellowship from the urban city of Thane to the rural areas of Paradeep, Odisha.
Hi, my name is Vibha Ramachandran! I’m a Media and Communications graduate from Manipal Institute of Communications. For me, all of this is very new. I never imagined myself to be where I am today. I honestly believe I came from a very sheltered life. Still, I wasn’t satisfied with being in a comfort bubble for the rest of my life, not knowing what would happen beyond my community or area. It was a massive step for me, stepping into a world I’d only read about in the news but never seen in my life.
Being a communication student, you read about the progress of the nation’s development, various political ideologies, the importance democracy has in policy implementation, etc. Reading up about it and seeing it in real life are two different things. I know that because I’ve lived abroad and seen and faced such disparities, albeit not to the extent others might have encountered. I have always been thankful for my upbringing and the wonderful opportunities I was fortunate enough to have been given. I had this innate desire to share that with others who never had the chance. And it was during this period, that I came across the fellowship and decided to apply, not knowing what my future held.
Filling out the application form and attending the final interview was an easy breeze. But when it came to meeting the other 29 fellows, a sudden wave of insecurity came over me. They were all from different parts of the country, with tons of experience in the social sector, so it was hard not to feel intimidated. I told myself that since this was a new experience, I should learn from them and make this experience worthwhile.
Fast forward two weeks, and it was the last day at the TISS campus in Tuljapur when we got our slips telling us our project location. At first, when I got Paradeep, Odisha, I was confused. I didn’t know how to feel. Excited? Apprehensive? Curious? I have never been that far from home. For someone who lived in the west moving towards the far east,the journey felt almost too overwhelming for me to comprehend.
Paradeep is a port town in the district of Jagatsinghpur. It’s a tranquil town despite the presence of multiple big industries. One of my favourite things about there was how close the beach was to our temporary accommodation. Especially for me, when things get overwhelming, listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore calms me down. I honestly think I couldn’t have done it without my other co-fellows, Samriddhi and Sibani. We all were from different places, Samriddhi from Delhi, Sibani from Odisha and me from Kerala, but somehow we made it work.
This was my first time living in a village, especially with the owner living downstairs. I was mentally prepared to share a space amongst the three of us, but living above the roof of our homeowners was honestly arduous. Conversations were blank faces on both sides, trying to decipher what was being said and carefully explaining our stay in their humble abode without causing any misunderstandings. I’d like to think I was a comedy relief for everyone when things got awkward and tense. My over-exaggerating hand movements and broken Hindi definitely brightened the mood; although I was genuinely clueless, we got to know each other better.
The owner’s family, despite knowing us for a short period of time, they treated us like their daughters. From giving us local inside information, helping us with mobilizing the community, getting the best seats for the bus, to buying the best local chenna poda, they were very generous. They ran a kirana store downstairs, selling everything from snacks to spare pipes. So it was very convenient for us to get whatever we required at any time of the day.
The narrow streets of Govindpur village, dimly lit and devoid of modern streetlights, set the stage for a charming yet mysterious experience. As dusk set in, the scene transformed with the presence of seasoned locals, their faces telling stories etched by time. The gentle glow of occasional open fires and the aroma of burning straw (a precautionary measure for cattle) filled the air. Although not conducive to a leisurely evening stroll, the ambience offered a glimpse into the authentic rhythms of village life.
My CSR Head once told me, “People often underestimate villagers. They think they’re smarter than them in many ways, but what people fail to realize is that village people are more well-informed than you’d think.” At first, I didn’t think too much about what he said, but I truly understood what he meant after some time. The villagers have this uncanny way of knowing things before they’re official. Before the head office has official announcements, the whole area already knows what’s up. It’s kind of eerie, you know? It’s as if the gossip winds carry secrets faster than any official memo. Sometimes, they’d smirk and casually drop, “We know more about what’s happening in the company than you.” It’s all in good fun, but it does make you wonder just how tight-knit this community really is.
There’s more to this situation than meets the eye; once you peel back the layers, you find yourself more puzzled and needing to take a step back. The history of the village dates back to the 1840s, and ever since, it has gone through multiple hurdles. The super cyclone 1999 was a natural disaster that wreaked havoc on coastal villages, including Govindpur, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Homes were ravaged, and communities faced the task of rebuilding their lives.
Before JSW arrived in Paradeep in 2005, a large MNC aimed to set up a steel manufacturing unit in Odisha. However, due to local opposition, protests, and political pressures, the project was dropped in 2017. The situation with JSW is nuanced; the legal acquisition of government land, community engagement, and various initiatives have created a complex relationship. While some villagers appreciate JSW’s efforts, others strongly oppose the company’s presence. The village, marked by inquisitive and intelligent residents, demands prompt attention to their concerns.
The people in the village have a tricky relationship with the industries around them. It’s all about finding the right balance between relying on them for work and feeling proud of their community while also dealing with the challenges of meeting everyone’s needs. I wondered what I would have done if I were in their position. The future can be unpredictable because the industry development is still in its early phase. Anything is possible! You never know how things can take a turn for better or worse in life. I look forward to seeing how things unfold and how I can contribute to the transition process.
As the village navigates the winding road of uncertainties, it’s not just about reaching a destination but realizing that their strength lies in the journey itself. Like The Hollies’ song suggests, the road may be long, but their resilience proves they are undeniably strong, facing the unpredictable future with a collective determination to shape their own destiny.
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