Success Stories

A DISABLED COULD CLIMB THE HILL: THE SELF EXPRESSION OF NABIN AMANATYA, A POLIO AFFECTED YOUTH IN KORAPUT

Shri Nabin Amanatya, about 35 years of age is a polio affected person who lives in the village Jhadaput in Koraput. The case below captures his expressions after being involved with the IDEI programme. "We are two brothers and one sister born to Kamal Lochan and Ratani, a very poor family in the village Jadaput under Boriguma block of Koraput district in Orissa. By the grace of God, one brother and the sister were born healthy, but I was affected by polio. Being the eldest son of the family all depended on me. My parents worked as daily wage earners and were able to educate me up to class seven. Although I wanted to study further, my parents could not afford to pay any more for my education.

My faith in God was very strong. I thought that my disability was a blessing from God in disguise, and an opportunity for me to do something different. I did not admit defeat at any stage. Time went by and I grew in age. I got Pramila as my life partner and was sure that the inspiration and guidance of my wife would change the course of my life. We both prayed to God for a better life.

One day a Village Agriculture Worker had visited our village. He advised me to purchase a KB pump and cultivate vegetables to make a good living. On hearing about this very affordable technology, I was excited. I saw it during a visit to the haat. Immediately I borrowed some money and purchased a KB pump by paying Rs 875/-. Usually polio affected people get two wheeler rickshaw for their movement but instead, I got a red colour KB pump which is operated manually and does not require any fuel or electricity for operation.

The villagers teased me and passed comments when they saw me operating the pump. Many people watched at me and discouraged me, yet I laboured on. It is said that where there is a will there is a way. The river Singari was flowing near my field. Water is available through out the year. I had only ½ an acre of land. I started by cultivating crops with low water requirement such as Cucumber, Kumuda, Ridge Gourd etc.

Initially I experienced pain in my legs after operating the pump. However my wife Pramila encouraged and inspired me. While I operated the pump she helped me in irrigating the plot through channels. My desire was to show people that I was capable of earning money by cultivating my own small plot. I did not look back and continued cultivating vegetables such as Kumuda, Ridge Gourd, Lady Finger and Cucumber by operating the KB pump. As the crop grew, my determination grew as well. I forgot all my pains and the comments of the people.

From the first crop I earned Rs. 6300/-. People who had teased me suddenly went quiet. I continued to use the KB pump and earned a good living. Within two years I could repay the loan of Rs 5000/- that my father had taken. However, while continuing with the vegetable cultivation I was also facing various other problems. Once the seeds I had purchased did not germinate. Moreover I had no idea about how to grow crops that would fetch me a good market price. I used to sell only in the near by local haats where the vegetables are sold at very low prices. At that time, I received immense help from the field staff of IDEI who put me in touch with a seed and fertilizer dealer in Jeypur for getting good quality seeds. More over they also took me for an exposure visit to a plot in Semiliguda where high value crops are being grown very well. I was really impressed to see such a plot and interacted with the farmer of that plot. On my return I applied the technique of using alternate channel irrigation to save labour and water. IDEI field staff also supplied me the Krishak Bandhu Magazine which contained relevant information on different aspects of vegetable cultivation. They also kept me informed of the market price of vegetables in different markets. With their help I sold vegetables twice in Jeypore market and got a good price. Though it is not always possible for me to reach the Jeypur market, I am aware that I can get good prices there.

I also attended a training programme organized by IDEI with the help of some of our local experts. The training was very useful in terms of giving me new ideas on high value crops, different practices such as crop rotation, multi-cropping, etc. I have now decided to plant some tree crops on the bunds of my field.

I have no problem with the KB pump. The only thing I do is to change the washer and the check valve of the pump when these get worn out. Spare parts of the pump are available with the local dealers of KB pump Moreover from time to time the field staff of IDEI visit my plot.

People in my village and even surrounding villages now visit my field to hear about my success. I have saved Rs 6500/- in the Koraput Panchabati Gramya Bank and hope to soon construct a tin roof over my father's hut. Last year I earned Rs 14,500/- from the sale of vegetables and I think this year I will be able to earn much more by adopting the new practices that I have learnt. Also, now my family members eat fresh vegetables and the domestic expenses are met out of the income from vegetable sales. I have plans to purchase a bicycle after constructing the house. I have also decided to get an electricity connection for our house. Today I am a happy man."

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