Project staff exchanging views with the villagers

The first thirty days

Within the past month, the project has not only established its office in the town of Jhalawar but has appointed the field team as well. In addition to getting the feel of the place and its surroundings, seven villages viz., Titarwasa, Nadia Khedi, Narayan Pura, Biriya Khedi Kala, Jarel, Kisan Puria and Chandia Kheda have so far been visited (picture showing interaction with villagers). Informal discussions have been held at each of the villages to get an overview on the socio-economic profiles of its inhabitants.

While most houses are one-room habitations, the families live under most insecure conditions. The dilapidated houses reflect the pathetic economic conditions of the households. Child marriages have been observed. Sona Bai of Kisan Puria village is only 16 years old, but has three children from her marriage to Sodan. Access to welfare programs is minimal though there are cases where land and houses have been allotted in some villages. Education services rarely reach the villages though overseas volunteers have been conducting informal schools.

The project team has fanned across 18 villages in Jhalawar and Gangdhar blocks. After preliminary interactions a framework for baseline data collection will soon be initiated.

- based on inputs from the field staff