Ranchi used to be a beautiful city in olden days. At that time it was not a big city like today, but a small town, around which there were many tribal settlements. There were many ponds, rivers and gardens in between. Then gradually these settlements were replaced by big houses, malls and flyovers. Now only their names are left – Kantatoli, Dangratoli, Sirmtoli, Karamtoli etc. I live in one of these remaining groups, on the outskirts of Ranchi. It is a settlement of the Oraon people, named after a local tree – called Neemtoli. The village-like atmosphere there is gradually diminishing, but is still alive. There is a big tamarind tree outside the house. Children often play in the shade of this tree. They do not have toys bought from the market. They make their own toys from bamboo, pieces of wood, broken slippers, empty bottles and old tyres. Despite having simple toys, they keep playing for hours with great enjoyment. Many animals are also part of the village. Dogs, cats, goats and chickens are seen here and there. They are not kept tied. They roam freely and are like members of the community. The sounds of this Neemtoli are very relaxing. Car horns are not heard there. Chirping of birds, laughter of children, voice of hawkers and sound of rain drops are heard. I love hearing the sound of birds when I wake up in the morning! There is a small grocery shop in the village. It is run jointly by Mr. Toppo and his wife. He has named the shop after his daughter Bulbul. Both are very friendly. Usually, greedy shopkeepers rush customers to make more money, but Mr. Toppo and his wife like to talk to their customers. Some of my neighbors live in poverty. Among them is a widow whose child is disabled. She makes country liquor to earn her living. The village people respect him. Their customers come in small groups, drink in peace and then go home or rest under a tree. But till now I have never seen them shouting or fighting. Sometimes all the people of Neemtoli gather for some feast or festival. The biggest festival of Oraon people is Sarhul. On that day the entire village participates in the tableau procession leading to the Sirmtoli Sarna site. Red-white traditional clothes are seen all over the city. The procession attracts a huge crowd, but remains peaceful and orderly. This is a very beautiful scene. Once I asked some elderly women of Neemtoli about their childhood life. I said, earlier people were very poor. Today there are fans and TVs in homes. Has life gotten better? They said together that earlier life was better! She remembered that on her way to school she would swim in the clean pond and on her way back she would catch snails together to eat. But now it seems that whatever little glimpse of the old lifestyle is left will probably end soon. Big apartments are being built around Neemtoli. The settlement can be displaced at any time. With this a way of life will also disappear. I am not saying that we should go back to the old times. But we should take inspiration from that life and try to save its values. We have lost the treasure of community life, but perhaps one day we will discover it again! I am not saying that we should go back to the old times. But we should take inspiration from that life and try to save its values. The truth is that we have lost the treasure of community life. (These are the author’s own views)
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Jean Drèze’s column: Our old ways of living are disappearing…
