Doijee Amma Shankargarh’s Iron Lady Courtesy Internet
Revolution has no name , class, gender or sect. It is about fighting the odds no matter what, and fostering change. This is exactly what Doijee Amma’s life is all about. Shankargarh was once notorious for dreaded mining mafias, who did not allow labourers to rise the ranks, but just as we finish celebrating Independence Day, this is an attempt to bring to you the story of yet another hero who looked the mafia in the eye.
Post 70 years of cherishing India and her independent existence there are several ways in which we are still not quite free. Caste, creed, exploitation, communal discords, these are some of the many problems that we still face on a day to day basis.
If there is a Wasseypur that has become popular due to popular Hindi Cinema, Shankargarh yet remains to be explored. Telling the tale of Doijee Amma is to drive home the point how there are greats in everyone of us.
Celebrating Doijee Amma’s greatness is about understanding the past and present of labourers working in mines
Celebrating Doijee Amma’s greatness is about understanding the past and present of labourers working in mines. There was a time in Shankargarh when labourers remained at the lowest rung due to suppression and today things are different due to the efforts of Doijee Amma.
When she entered the mines to work, she had just earning two square meals a day in mind, but eventually she turned out to be the harbinger of change for tribals.
Doijee Amma had speaking to news agencies years back said that she may be leading a retired life now but activism and change have been her doing.
The relevance of her fight can be gauged from the fact that she personally touched lives of nearly 20 labourers.
Where the tribals slogged with sweat dripping down their tired faces, the saviour came in the form of Doijee. She fought against the mining mafias. The fight was long. She got a lot of threats however at the end, she emerged victorious. The relevance of her fight can be gauged from the fact that she personally touched lives of nearly 20 labourers.
Her crusade against exploitation of Adivasi, Kol and Bhil labouers working in silica sand mines has become a folk lore in the region.
The contractors now even give the tribals their due without actually harassing or exploiting them. She has not walked this road all alone. She started off with no one by her side. After several years of struggle when her fight started showing its true colours then people in large numbers joined her.
The Pahaar or the lease is generally made for a set duration of 5 years said locals.
A social organization working for Women’s Rights joined her. The organization fully backed Doijee Amma. With full support she even started working for the backward and oppressed people of Shankargarh.
Doijee Amma won the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 2006 and became known in the world over. The story of Doijee is one that spans over several decades. Today she has ensured the rise of labourers.
Doijee Amma won the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 2006 and became known in the world over.
Despite the struggles, a recipient of the Awadh Samaan, Doijee Amma, has spent her twilight years without electricity and basic amenities. Such is her grit that even at 80 she continues to push the boundaries of social service.
Her house in the area has no electricity connection. She who brought light into the lives of many a people today gropes in the dark, that too in her twilight years. We sincerely hope those in the helm of affairs are reading.
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