THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN: A RARE COMMUNITY WITH RARE POTENTIAL

THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN: 

A RARE COMMUNITY WITH RARE POTENTIAL

(All the images are subject to IPR)

Every  community or society has its own culture which has bright sides as well as dark sides. No society on earth can boast of being perfect or ideal. Hence society of Tharus of West Champaran can not be taken as an exception or an island in itself and  should not be looked down upon. It may be backward in terms of material achievement  or worldly progress but it is much much ahead in terms of values, in terms of some rare qualities which they possess. 

So let us not be judgmental and not brand them as "fools" or "bagads" as the Bajians(Non-Tharus) call or even treat them. They are simple, they are innocent, they are more sensitive and humane than those educated bureaucrat or high profile politician who opine that no one could die of cold or hunger because people are surviving in Siberia and stomach-full meal can be had in just 12 rupees in metro cities.

The great Tharus of West Champaran has great rare  untapped potential. A rare quality of them is excellent work done with the help of wood like plough, spade, chair, even bed etc.  The Tharus are very skilled in various kinds of wood work. Not only that. They are very efficient in making rope(rassi), dagara, dauri, mawni, dalia, dhakia (all different kinds of beautiful baskets for different purposes) on a large scale  with a special type of grass called 'Puja' &  'Sawai or sabai' found in abundance in Tharuhat.

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Have the bureaucrats/ politicians who are in power ever  thought of  exploring the possibilities of providing all sorts or required support for the development and growth of  such small scale industries. Small countries  like Japan  or South Korea thrive  on fast  growing small scale industries being run in almost every homes.

The items made by Tharus of West Champaran are very environment friendly and can even replace the use of polythene which has become threat to environment and is without doubt,  great health hazard.



For in-depth field-based 
(around three decades) details 
on Tharus of West Champaran:
"Pattern of Social Change among the Tharus of West Champaran in Bihar"  Thesis submitted to JNU for Award of PhD by Dr AJAY KUMAR(OJHA) in 2009.

AMONG THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN :"FRIENDSHIP":AN ENDURING RELATIONSHIP

"FRIENDSHIP" : AN ENDURING  RELATIONSHIP

AMONG THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN 

There is one very notable and remarkable feature in the family and society of  Tharus of West Champaran. Besides the relationship by blood  (Consanguineal) and marriage(Affinal) the Tharus have devised an artificial form of relationship by which two persons may enter into a sacred bond of friendship. 

Such ties of friendship are more enduring than even those of marriage and blood. A friend, in their community, enjoys a higher and more esteemed position than their kith and kin. There is a popular saying:

"Mit na chodai,chahe chodai saga bhai."

(One may leave one's brother but not one's friend)

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

An amazing fact about friendship tie among the Tharus is that it is not contracted between one Tharu and another Tharu but it is also formed between a Tharu and non-Tharu after a thorough test  and exchange of mutual confidence.

But today this bond is also breaking. Simple and innocent Tharus of West Champaran are being deceived and exploited in the name of friendship particularly by the non-Tharus.


For in-depth field-based 
(around three decades) details 
on Tharus of West Champaran:
"Pattern of Social Change among the Tharus of West Champaran in Bihar"  Thesis submitted to JNU for Award of PhD by Dr AJAY KUMAR(OJHA) in 2009.

IN THARUHAT OF WEST CHAMPARAN : NERVE CENTRE OF GIRL'S EDUCATION :KASTURBA BALIKA UCHCHA VIDYALAYA

NERVE CENTRE OF GIRL'S EDUCATION: 

KASTURBA BALIKA UCHCHA VIDYALAYA

 OF 

THARUHAT OF WEST CHAMPARAN

Tharus of West Champaran  attained the status of Schedule Tribe in 2003 after continuous & consistent but peaceful struggle. It is well known that the Tharus of Uttar Pradesh became Schedule Tribe soon after  India got  its Independence. They were included in the list of VIIIth Schedule of Constitution but the same community  living in West Champaran district of Bihar were left out in open to be exploited  & fleeced to the maximum in every way, on every front. 

Tharus of West Champaran  were unfortunately but deliberately deprived of the status of Schedule Tribe and included in the OBC category.

Year 2003 is a landmark, a milestone in the history of Tharus of West Champaran. Tharuhat  has started experiencing and also showing signs of change taking place in the up -till -now the most neglected region through coming  up of motorable roads, electricity, mobile phones and other activities.

Kasturba Balika Uchcha Vidyalaya  in Bakhari Bazaar of Tharuhat of West Champaran
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

One of the most remarkable development which has been remained unnoticed, is the opening of a residential government  school exclusively for  girls named Kasturba Balika Uchcha Vidyalaya in Bakhari Bazaar, a Tharu dominated village on Ramnagar - Gobardhana  road of Tharuhat  in 2007. 

This has become the nerve centre for the education  and dramatically galvanized the activities of the simple, innocent , enthusiastic girls of Tharuhat.

Girls are not only coming to this school for study from far-off  places  such as Bankatwa, Gobardhana, Manchangwa, Bagahi Sakhuani covering  almost  even 6-7 Kms on cycle but also staying in this residential school. Girls are also taking keen interest in different kinds of sports, facilities for which are available in the campus.  

For in-depth field-based 

(around three decades) details 

on Tharus of West Champaran:

"Pattern of Social Change among the Tharus of West Champaran in Bihar"  Thesis submitted to JNU for Award of PhD by Dr AJAY KUMAR(OJHA) in 2009.    

THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN & BHARATIYA THARU KALYAN MAHASANGH

BHARATIYA THARU KALYAN MAHASANGH

 OF

 WEST CHAMPARAN (BIHAR/INDIA)

Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)  on way to Tharuhat in a Tanga (Horse Cart) driven by Ishwar Thakur on 16.06.06
Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

In the beginning of seventies of 20th century the Tharu tribe of West Champaran started seriously thinking of removing the social evils penetrating into their samaj. They also started deliberating on the objective of finding out their roots so as to demystify wrong notions being spread  about them  by the non-Tharus (Baji in local parlance) to malign them and denigrate them.

The Tharus slowly and gradually started thinking about themselves and about their welfare and thus established Tharu Kalyan Sangh with the objective of bringing the Tharus on one platform. They, now, Started interacting with each other at regular intervals.

Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha) in Ramnagar Block of Tharuhat of West Champaran on 10.12.08
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

  

In the third conference of Tharu Kalyan Mahasangh which was held in March 1971 at Shubhadra , the constitution of Bharatiya Tharu Kalyan Mahasangh was unanimously accepted. Bharatiya Tharu Kalyan Mahasangh is a social organization especially for the Tharus. 

The Main purpose and objective of this Mahasangh is social, economic, moral, cultural, spiritual development of the Tharu Samaj. Central office of Bharatiya Tharu Kalyan Mahasangh was opened in Bettiah (West Champaran/Bihar). All the Tharus can become the member of Bharatiya Tharu Kalyan Mahasangh.

For in-depth field-based 

(around three decades) details 

on Tharus of West Champaran:

"Pattern of Social Change among the Tharus of West Champaran in Bihar"  Thesis submitted to JNU for Award of PhD by Dr AJAY KUMAR(OJHA) in 2009.

Thaaarus Tharus Th

THARU ENGLISH POET :RAM NATH QAUZI OF THARUHAT(WEST CHAMPARAN/BIHAR/INDIA)

THARU ENGLISH POET :RAM NATH QAUZI 

OF

 THARUHAT(WEST CHAMPARAN/BIHAR/INDIA)

Can

Can we think of a poet & scholar, that too in English, that too in this remote & backward region called Tharuhat of West Champaran. Perhaps "No". But this is not the case here. 

Poem or poetry is not the personal property of only developed people or place. Poetry is the expression of one's feeling or experience inked in  any language and in any place or locality irrespective of the fact that the place or region is backward or developed.

 Ram Nath Quazi has written poetry not in  his own language but most surprisingly in English and that  too living in the most backward & inhospitable region "tharuhat" of West Champaran of Bihar ( India).

It will not be out of place or context to quote a  few lines from his book "A Lovely Living Poem" published in 1996:

The Black Bee and the Flower

"The main function of the beauty of flowers is

To attract insects for pollination."

The wonder of wonders

That the lovely, colourful flowers

Should give their nectar of pleasure

To a black ugly creature:

You may be black ,ugly creature

But if you are a true lover

You will have the nectar of pleasure.

The Deity of Love

We have our gods,goddesses and deities

Whom we worship in temples and shrines

And regard all the celestial divines

As fountain-heads of human qualities.

......................................

........................................

And among them all you have the greatest

Claim to be anointed as deity;

For, you are the humane deity of love. 

Ram Nath Qauzi  has the distinction of being the first MA (Master of Arts) of the Tharuhat of West Champaran.

For in-depth field-based 
(around three decades) details 
on Tharus of West Champaran:
"Pattern of Social Change among the Tharus of West Champaran in Bihar"  Thesis submitted to JNU for Award of PhD by Dr AJAY KUMAR(OJHA) in 2009.

GREAT ANTS GREAT GURU.

Unique Budhanilkantha Temple, Kathmandu Nepal).

Budhanilkantha Temple, Kathmandu Nepal).

Script,Voice & Produced by Dr. Ajay Kumar Ojha

Budhanilkantha Temple is located at the base of Shivapuri Hill within the Kathmandu valley . It is also known as mystical Budhanilkantha temple which is around nine kilometer away from the main city .Literal meaning of Budhanilkantha is "Old Blue Throat". It is a deity of Lord Vishnu lying on Ananta Sesa, in the cosmic ocean. Lord Vishnu is about five meter long and lying in a thirteen meter long tank, as if floating with his legs crossed with his sleeping body resting on the coils of Ananta and his eleven hooded head. It is believed that the deity was carved in the fifth century during the Licchavi period.

Hindus can walk down the steps and touch his feet, but foreigners cannot walk and touch. It is with the sacredness of this particular god that a deep seated belief was created by King Pratap Malla through a prophetic dream. It was his strong belief and fear that should the King of Nepal visit the Budhanilkantha temple, death would be threatening immediately to fall upon his departure.

The basic festival of the year is when Lord Vishnu who sleeps on the cosmic ocean during Chaturmasya periods wakes up on the Haribodhini Ekadashi day in late October or early November . Thousands of Hindus throng that day to celebrate the festival.

Kaila Balamua Se Pyar Sajani / Bhojpuri Lok Geet / Cuckoo Voice

Published on May 15, 2013

Bhojpuri Lok Geet

Song: Kaila Balamua Se Pyar Sajani
Writer: Prof. Rabindra Nath Ojha
Singer :Dr. Ajay Kumar Ojha
Music: Ravi Mathew
Music Label : Cuckoo Voice
Photo Collection : Dr. Ajay Kumar Ojha

 भोजपुरी कविता 

भोरवा बहार जागे , होत भिनुसार जागे ,

कइल बलमुआ से प्यार सजनी ,

कइल बलमुआ से प्यार। 

प्यार बिना सूनी रे जिनीगिया , प्यारे ह संसार सजनी,

कइल बलमुआ से प्यार। 

प्यार बिना जीवन अधिरतिया , प्यारे ह भिनुसार सजनी ,

कइल बलमुआ से प्यार। 

प्यार बिना जीवन मरूरेतिया, प्यारे ह गंगधार सजनी,

कइल बलमुआ से प्यार। 

प्यारे सक्ती प्यारे भक्ती , प्यारे जग आधार सजनी ,

कइल बलमुआ से प्यार। 

                                                             प्रो (डॉ ) रवीन्द्र नाथ ओझा

                                                  (साभार :  "विप्रा : बहुधा वदन्ति" पुस्तक से )

THARUHAT OF WEST CHAMPARAN(BIHAR/INDIA) :CRYING FOR MLA/MP SEAT FOR SCHEDULE TRIBE

THARUHAT OF WEST CHAMPARAN (BIHAR) :

CRYING FOR MLA/MP SEAT FOR SCHEDULE TRIBE

(All the images are subject to IPR)

The Election Commission of India has proposed two Uttar Pradesh seats for Schedule Tribes after the continuous demand from the tribal population  of the state seeking assembly constituencies reserved for Schedule Tribes.

Out of five STs , Tharu is the most populous tribe. They constitute 77.4% of the tribal population of the UP. Buksa is the second major tribe followed by Bhotia, Jaunsari and Raji. Tharus of Uttar Pradesh now Uttarakhand also have been Schedule Tribe soon after India got Independence.

But Ironically their brethren the Tharus of West Champaran (Bihar) remained deprived of this status for more than five decades and subjected to all sorts of exploitation & humiliation which can never be compensated. After long, continuous but peaceful struggle the Tharus of West   Champaran attained the status of Schedule Tribe in 2003. 

A VIEW OF BAKHARI BAZAAR (THARU TRIBE VILLAGE)
Photo(c)Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

After carving out of Jharkhand, the Tharus of West Champaran have become major tribe of Bihar who inhabit tarai region of West Champaran district from east to west and their population is substantial. But not a single  MLA constituency of Tharuhat has been ST constituency.  The lone Bagaha MP constituency is also SC constituency in which Tharuhat comes. 

WEEKLY TRIBAL (THARU) MARKET IN BAKHARI BAZAAR OF THARUHAT
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Now it is proper time to lobby for the creation of ST constituency in West Champaran so that the voice of neglected & exploited Tharu Schedule Tribe can be heard in Legislative Assembly or Parliament. Let us not allow this opportunity to slip through our fingers. Perhaps this way we may compensate  the loss  occurred due to deprivation of Schedule Tribal status for more than five decades, at least to some extent.  

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA :11/12/13 UNFORGETTABLE DAY

11/12/13 UNFORGETTABLE DAY :

 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Granny & Grandson Bonding
Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Mother & Son Bonding
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Ms Rameshwari Bisht(Nirankari) with Karunamayee Radhika Devi
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

WEDDING CEREMONY

 of 

AADITI ISSAC of  NEW DELHI 

&

 JOSEPH YOUNG of COLUMBUS, OHIO

at

                               THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH of the REDEMPTION, NEW DELHI

                                                                                 on

                                                                           11/12/13

E S Issac with Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha & Taranjit Kaur

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Aaditi Issac & Joseph Young
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

The most important/significant  feature/attraction  of this marriage was participation of a group of 16 people who have all the way came from Kasturi village of Baster district (Chhattisgarh). First time these people came out of the village that too in a train to National Capital Delhi  & performed  during marriage celebration amidst Delhites in the premises of  Cathedral Church of the Redemption near Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House) . Shri E.S. Issac father of the bride Aaditi belongs to Kasturi village.

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: VAZHACHAL KERALA

FROM the eyes of DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: 

VAZHACHAL KERALA

(All the images are subject to IPR)

Vazhachal Falls is situated in Athirappilly Panchayat of Thrissur district in Kerala on the southwest coast of India. 

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Located on the west-flowingChalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and at the edge of the Sholayar ranges, it is just 5 km from entrance of Athirappilly Falls. It is located 36 km from Chalakudy.

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar ojha

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

IN THARU SOCIETY OF WEST CHAMPARAN : STATUS OF THARU WOMEN

STATUS OF WOMEN IN THARU SOCIETY

(WEST CHAMPARAN/BIHAR/INDIA)

The 

 (All the images are subject to IPR)

The  Tharu women enjoy a dominant position in the society. It may seem to be a paradox to us that in a patriarchal society, which the Tharus of West Champaran have, women do command a very respectable position in their society. Most importantly, girls are not taken as burden on the family.

Photo (c) Dr Ajay kumar Ojha

Dominant position of the Tharu women is rooted in the culture of the Tharu society. The position of women in the Tharu society is not that of a family drudge as one may find in the societies of the Bajis(non-Tharus). 

The Tharu women have considerable freedom and wield great influence in the domestic sphere. The significant role of Tharu women in economic and social spheres of Tharu life can never be underestimated.

Customs and conventions of the Tharu society have not been properly understood, rather they have been misconceived, misrepresented and mis-interpreted. Customs are the integral part of the Tharu culture and here lies the reason for their dominant role in the society. They need to be analyzed from cultural relativist approach not ethnocentric one.

Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

The customs of the Tharu women of West Champaran seem to be very unique and interesting for it gives a lot of elbowroom for the lady-in-charge of the house to maintain her dominance. 



But  irony is that these beautiful vulnerable simple Tharu women are branded as characterless and corrupt and all kinds of oppression and even sexual exploitation seem to have been practiced and perpetrated upon them for decades.