“Paise nahi the apna pet bharne ko bhi, Diwali kahan se manate?” (We didn’t have money to fill our empty stomachs, celebrating Diwali was a dream we didn’t even dare to dream), Somwari recalls, her voice tinged with the echoes of past struggles.
The never-ending struggles!
In the heart of Porahat village, amid the rolling fields of Chakradhapur in Jharkhand, Somwari Diggi’s life once mirrored the shadows of hardship that loomed over her humble abode. When the rest of the country glittered with the luminous festivities of Diwali, Somwari’s world remained shrouded in darkness.
Tilling the land, barely an acre in size, she eked out a meager existence cultivating traditional crops like paddy, linseed, lentil, and chickpea. Yet, amidst the toil, the scant yearly income of INR 10,000 barely sustained his family of eleven.
INR 10,000 for 11 members in the family? Yes!
This was the reality of the life of Somwari Diggi and almost everyone around her.
The struggles were never-ending. Life was happening in front of her, and Somwari Diggi had no control over it; struggling every day to take care of even the basic necessities of her family.
START brought a New Hope
PRADAN had been working in the region for quite some time. The struggles of Somwari Digga and others gathered the attention of PRADAN via Nilam Mahto, a CRP (Community Resource Person) working under the START (Stimulating Tribal and Rural Transformation) project with the Elangdolang FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) establishment under the project.
Through the establishment of the Chinikuti Ajiwika Utpadak Samuh, a Producer Group, Nilam breathed life into Somwari’s aspirations. With steadfast determination, she introduced Somwari Digga and her fellow villagers to the untapped potential of marigold farming, a venture brimming with promise yet cloaked in uncertainty.
However, Somwari was unsure!
Neither did she have the financial buffer nor the technical expertise to start cultivating marigold. Understanding her doubts, she and other villagers were informed of Baghmara village in Chakradharpur block of Jharkhand where practising marigold farming has helped farmers earn INR 30,000-40,000 within just three-four months.
The live example provided her with much-needed confidence!
Change on ground!
Overcoming initial apprehensions and financial constraints, Somwari embarked on this daring endeavor with the unwavering support of the Elangdolang FPO and Nilam Mahto. Infused with technical expertise, quality inputs, and market linkages provided by the FPO, Somwari and her spouse Sukhram Diggi set out to cultivate a golden future from the fertile soil beneath their feet.
The fruits of their labor bloomed, transcending the boundaries of their modest acreage. Adopting best practices and guided by the Package of Practices (PoP), Somwari’s fields flourished with the radiant hues of marigold. As the flowers blossomed, so did Somwari’s fortunes, culminating in a bountiful harvest that illuminated her path from darkness to light.
Diwali Dazzle
With the onset of Diwali, the demand for marigold flowers surged, propelling Somwari to newfound heights of success. In a mere span of three months from September to November, 2023, she surpassed her previous annual income, earning INR 10,000 from her marigold cultivation alone.
But Somwari’s story is not merely one of personal triumph; it is a beacon of hope illuminating the way for others in Porahat and beyond. Inspired by her success, groups of farmers from neighboring areas started flocking to witness the golden bloom firsthand. Together, they started imagining a future where the fields of Jharkhand flourish with the vibrant hues of marigold, transforming dreams into reality.
“Jab itna Sundar bagan dekhte hai to Dil khush ho jata hai. Agal bagal se bhi log aakar jankari leke jate hain” (The garden looks so beautiful, it makes me very happy. People from nearby areas also come over and enquire about the cultivation method involved), says a visibly proud and happy Somwari Digga.
As Somwari looks towards the horizon, her gaze brimming with optimism envisions a future full of possibilities. With plans to expand her marigold cultivation to fifty decimals of land, Somwari stands as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, determination, and community-driven change.
Conclusion
In the fields of Porahat, where once darkness reigned, Somwari’s journey from struggle to success serves as a radiant reminder that even amidst the bleakest of circumstances, the seeds of hope can blossom into fields of gold.
Founded in 1983, PRADAN has been at the forefront of innovations in rural development and has played a significant role in the design and implementation improvement of major rural development programmes. Given the deep deprivation in rural pockets, particularly among tribal and vulnerable groups, we promote sustainable livelihoods, integrated with work on issues of Gender, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Climate Change, Skilling and Governance. We currently work across 8 states, reaching out to 2.8 million households in collaboration with more than 100 NGO partners. PRADAN is an equal opportunity organisation. To learn more, please visit us at: www.pradan.net.
As an Executive (Communications), the incumbent is supposed to be a knowledgeable, self-motivated and passionate individual with a creative bent of mind. The major focus area would be to promote and help flourish the practice of reflective writing and process documentation. The role involves content generation, curation, presentation and publication of articles for internal forums and external agencies including mainstream media. The person will also be responsible for organising training events for the same. Creating and implementing the media strategy to showcase PRADAN’s successes and challenges will be another key aspect of the position.
The qualifying degree is a minimum of 16 years of education (A Master’s degree in English literature, or any other social science stream).
A degree or diploma in Mass Communication from a reputed institute is preferred
Nature of Engagement: Regular position with a probation period of six months.
Remuneration: Based on qualification and experience the CTC would be in the range of INR 8 to 10 lakhs per annum. The CTC includes basic pay and other allowances. Apart from this, provision of deferred benefits such as PF, Gratuity, NPS, Insurance (Term life insurance, hospitalization insurance for self and dependents and accident insurance policy) are provided.
Place of posting: In PRADAN locations (possibly district town or state capital)
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Those shortlisted will be invited to a selection process in Noida, tentatively in the first week of September 2024.
PRADAN is an equal opportunity employer. Women candidates are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates with the relevant background and fulfilling the eligibility criteria are visit our website https://www.pradan.net/join-us/#careers and fill the ‘Application for Executive (Communications)’.Applications close by August 31, 2024.