In his appearance, Simon Oraon is both a saint and a shaman from another era. Can you believe, Oraon, known as ‘Jharkhand’s Waterman’, is 87, and has been toiling to save the state’s rivers and forests for almost 50 years?
Oraon grew up in an arid region, where there was little agriculture. In the Bero area near Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi, there’s little water available except during monsoons. The heat and dryness hardened his young soul. He decided to do something about these problems. Eventually, and with the help of villagers, he dug two canals— 4,500 ft and 3,000 ft approximately. They dug through hills and hard rocks. They dug seven ponds and numerous wells to harvest rainwater.
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“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it,” said Lao Tzu. Now seven villages in Bero have water for irrigation, for living. Oraon says that now the locals can cultivate three types of crops.
Oraon spends his life in a mud hut, its walls ornate with certificates, awards, framed photos and newspaper clippings. He lives with his wife Virginia and their granddaughter, Angela. Despite his recognition, they lead a precarious existence, plagued by financial difficulties. In 2016, Oraon was awarded the Padma Shri for his efforts in forest and water conservation. With a wry smile he says, “Certificate se guzara nahi hota”. Indeed, certificates never realise the dreams, nor do they satisfy the basic needs for a cause, or the life dedicated to it.
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(This appeared in the print edition as "Water Canals Over Parched Earth")
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Text and Photograph by Tribhuvan Tiwari
