Quack Cure

LAXMAN mama hurts children to cure them. And the sexageranian Korku agat (sorcerer) claims to know wha the is doing. "Because my dead uncle told me in a dream that hot iron rods on the bellies of malnourished children cures them," he says authoritatively. Not that any Korku desires to know mama's success rate. The burn marks on the stomachs of their children, they believe, is visible sign of better health. "If they don't survive despite my treatment, then we have to take it as God's wish," says the quack, putting an end to curious questions regarding his trade.

Absurd as it may seem, the Korkus would rather trust their dying children to the hot iron rod of bhagats like Laxman mama than to the alien stethoscope of doctors. "At least, what the bha-gat does is for all to see. God alone knows what these doctors do," wonders Saibala Zambekar of Harda village. "After all, it's not as if children don't die in hospitals." During monsoons, therefore, diseases and bhagats thrive together in the Melghat region. Chanting mantras, burning bellies and taking on no responsibility for failing to cure. Like Laxman mama says: "Finally, God and destiny decide."