This book is not only on the Wonderful Tharu Community but also on alluring Tharuhat - the land of the Tharu Tribe, and above all on the historic and splendid, captivating and charming Champaran of Bihar . This book is published by Rachna Publications of Delhi.
From the Author’s Mouse
Some relations are formed by blood, some are made during the journey of one’s life and some are god-sent opportunities. My relation with the Tharu Tribe of West Champaran of Bihar comes under the third category. Though I came into contact with a Tharu friend Dharmraj Khatait during my school days and seed of affinity was sown but never imagined that I would be pursuing my research on the Tharu Tribe itself.
After completing my MA in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, I got myself admitted into MPhil/PhD course in 1982. I finished my M.Phil course in 1984. I decided to do research on the Tharu tribe of West Champaran for my PhD, and that too based on participant observation, a field research method. In this method the researcher develops an understanding of a group or setting by taking part in everyday routines and rituals alongside its members.
Some of my friends threw comments upon me for my decision to work in a remote and inhospitable area of West Champaran in those days which had been known for being the den of dreaded dacoits and hotbed of Lal Salam (Maoists). In fact that region inhabited by the Tharu tribe had become Mini Chambal but nothing could dampen my spirits. I continued with my mission of working among the Tharus of West Champaran against all odds.
I stayed in the hut of the Tharu community for months together during the later part of the eighties of the 20th century, in an area where there was no electricity, no proper road and transport, no communication facility, not even landline, no proper health facility. During the rainy season Bakhari Bazar village remained completely cut off from the rest of the world as there was no bridge on the seasonal Singha river . Bakhari Bazar is the village on the Ramnagar-Gobardhna road where I stayed during the formative years of my research with the blessings of late Shankar Mahto, and even now whenever I happen to visit Tharuhat I live in the same hut. I was awarded a PhD degree on 8th September 2010 by Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi - a field based social science research which took almost twenty four years to complete - a feat one of its kind in social research.
Even after getting a PhD degree in 2010 my association with the Tharu community unexpectedly continues today. I have written, and continue to write many articles at different points of time in my Blog @Tharu Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha and produced videos also uploaded on my YouTube Channel @Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha - posted and uploaded after 2010. These articles and videos contain very interesting and thought-provoking information forcing me to compile and collate most of them into a book for the benefit of readers, researchers, policy-makers, social activists.
This book is not only on the wonderful Tharu Community but also on the alluring Tharuhat - the land of the Tharu Tribe, and above all on the historic and splendid, captivating and charming Champaran. There are altogether thirty seven articles, most of them not very big but undoubtedly significant and worthy of attention - almost all lifted from my Blog with date.
I hope this book in your hand will open the gates of your intellectual horizon, and take you to a different world altogether, and acquaint yourself with a wonderful tribe and their alluring habitat, not to be properly explored and not to be adequately highlighted. Now I may be allowed to take leave of you so that you can go through this informative, enchanting and engaging book. Isn't it ?
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat !
Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha
Former Correspondent, United Newspapers, Delhi
Former Senior Programme Officer, Doordarshan (Indian Broadcasting Service)
Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Place: New Delhi
E-mail : ajayojha60@gmail.com
Contact : 9968270323