No...! he cannot be my Son..!!

Ahmedabad: Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

Sujata, a lady from an upper middle class family in a metropolitan city. He as many others in her society love development. A four lane road, malls, lake, Gardens, River front and a metro. Waah..! what was not there in her city now. 

She was happy in her three bedroom flat in a posh area of the city. Her husband, working in a company, and boy studying in private school, off course English Medium, and it was one of the well known school in the city. She use to boast for being able to send her Son in such a elite school. 

But that was not enough to live in peace. Her mobile is alarming her with lots of messages sent from different people, who tells her that her city, her state and her country is in threat becoz of "those people". 

"A man with three wives, and 9 children and many more to come is XXX....!! Awake, or else they will occupy your country one day" her mobile tells her with picture of one average age person and 4-5 kids around him, all looking hungry." This message has enough strength to create a sense of disliking for that XX person, and for entire community to which that XX person belong too. But that was not enough even. This image has silently injected a feeling of fear and insecurity in her. "What if they attacked us?". They will..! they can..!!" 

Then her mobile showed her many such scary images of YY persons from same community. That was followed by some videos in which these YY persons were also given punishment, beating, screaming, helplessness and final blow to kill the person. Sujata was shaken from inside, NO!!" she attempted a protest. "Its obvious. They have to pay for their deeds. They cannot become part of our country" our Rashtra is Hindu Rastra" She was told with roar, followed by "Jai Sriram" a victorious shout. 

Sujata,by now is getting used to such 'incidences of (So called) instant justice', that her mobile is showing her frequently. Now her society. "You are changing, Sujata" her inner voice whispered feebly. But it was not only Sujata her cute Son was also changing. "You know people of YY religion are terrorist" Poor are not tax payers, but are looting us. Mummy, Servant is servant, why should I call her aunty? Mumma, India was already having rocket technology during ancient times. "Mummy, shudra are not allowed to celebrate" "Mummy non vegetarians are bad" He was very sharp and learning too much. He was growing big. 

it was quiet morning otherwise in her CITY. Some movie that was to be screened. But how can it be screened? It showed something on those "ZZ" community and injustice being done to them. It also talked against industries. Meaning no development? whats app messages, newspapers starting talking about strong reaction upon screening of the films. Some leader too gave statement that 'movie it against her religion. She agreed to the anger and violence ahead. 

By afternoon, a group of youngsters started running on motorbykes with ribbon on forehead and scarf around the neck. Within no time, it turned into a mob and started breaking car windows, scooters, shops, anything that comes in their minds. She switched on the TV, started looking at "live videos" coming one after another on her mobile. One video in which a boy with hockey stick in the hand and hitting a front glass of expensive car, soon someone set the car a blaze" "a blaaaast" ..flames going high and a boy with stick turned on to camera,...."NO....he cannot be my Son" Sujata shouted before falling down on the floor... her mobile still playing the video....!!

Can you imagine buying salt @ 15 paisa per kg?

Sunday, June 24, 2019.

Gujarat produces 72% of the total salt of India. In Gujarat, salt is being produced in Little Rann of Kutch, which is known as "Vadagaru Salt" and that along the coast, is called as "Karkacch Salt. 

Communities who possess of harvesting salt through traditonal method are identified as "Agariays" (Agar=Salt farm) . There are around 1.5 lakh Agariyas in Gujarat who earn their livelihood through salt farming. 

However the biggest irony is that the primary producer has to live their life in a situation that is similar to bondage labour, as they have to trade their salt in advance, for the requirement of money for salt farming. 

In the month of Septebmer, Agariyas move to the salt farms and returns by April/May. 

During eight months, they reside in harsh environments, extrement temparature upto 50 degrees and with no access to basic facilities like regular water supply, health care, education, transport etc. 

The reward of this hard work is some peanuts thrown by the traders. The price of the salt is pre-fixed by traders, which is as low as 15 paisa /Kg of Salt. 

Government have some welfare schemes like Safety kits, mobile health Vans, Schools at working place, Hostels in residential villages, Bycycle at subsidised rate, and Solar Water Pump System of Rs.2 lakh  at 80% subsidy. However the basic issues like access to means of production like land entitlements, access to formal credit system, support price and insurance cover to the produce are not being addressed. Unless that are done, there won't be significant change in the life of traditional Agariya. 

in 2014, former justice Shri M. B. Shah was asked to give a report to the state, on status of Agariyas in Gujarat and way ahead. In this report there has been clear mention about Suppor price, and market access, bank  credit and insurance to the salt produced by Salt farmers. 

This year Traders have declared price of 15 paisa per kg. You and me purchase salt f@Rs.15 or even 20/Kg. The plastic bag in  which the 1 kg salt is packed has more cost than 15 paisa .