HILL ranges spread across the Western Ghats, the undulating waves of the Arabian Sea, and leafy mango and cashew trees flanking the streets make the Konkan region a spectacular tourist spot, but the underbelly of this coastal belt tells a different story. The small-scale fishermen, mostly belonging to the Koli community, share the stories of an impending livelihood crisis due to the big trawlers taking over their share of the catch. The medium-scale fishermen talk about their struggle to carry on in the face of several government regulations and curbs. However, none of their concerns find a mention in the big political campaigns of Ratnagiri and Raigad.
Driving past the briny and muddy water that settles in the khari (backwaters) after the high tide, as one reaches Mandri village of Mhasla tehsil in Raigad, a huge Hanuman temple adorned with hundreds of saffron festoons gives you a grand welcome. Besides the temple, you can find some small huts here—both kachcha and pucca—depending on their owners’ financial status. But what unites them is their desperation to restore the good old days of fishing. Standing in his courtyard near the temple, Sunil Palkhade who is in his late 40s, says, “Almost 70% of the people in this area have given up fishing. They have mostly shifted to Mumbai and other places. Fishing is no more a profitable job for us.”
Denne historien er fra May 21, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
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Denne historien er fra May 21, 2024-utgaven av Outlook.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.
Fading Folks
The recent SC ruling on sub-classification within the SC and ST categories temporarily lifted the hopes of tribal communities in Jharkhand