It’s an open secret that despite plethora of reforms and schemes launched by successive governments, many tribal communities in India still remain cut off from the mainstream. Some of these communities are even struggling for their existence.
One such community is the `Asurs’ of Jharkhand. Its members also dwell in parts of Bihar and Odisha. They would have been forgotten and relegated to the annals of history as a mythical group, if IAS officer Ranendra Kumar had not come out with a book focussing on them and their existential crisis.
Published in 2006, Mr. Kumar’s book, Global Gaon Ka Devta (The God of the Global Village), created a wave in the literary field. It made readers look at the tribals with a new-found empathy. Mr Kumar, interestingly, has also published many stories and poems throwing insight into the lives of tribals and women. In a fitting acknowledgement of his contributions, he has been chosen for the ‘Sri Lal Shukla Smriti IFFCO Sahitya Samman’ this year.
In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Kumar opens up about his ideology as well as his ongoing journeys in administration and literature.
LITERATURE WAS PART OF HIS CHILDHOOD
Mr. Kumar was born into a middle-class family, and his father was a professor of Hindi language. He says it was his privilege that from childhood, literature became a part of him. Every now and then, there would be literature discussions in his house. He used to actively take part in them and recite sonnets of Kabir, Rahim and others. He also devoured books on the subject.
But while literature was his love, he also wanted to explore society from the grassroot level. So, he prepared for state civil service and got selected in 1988. In 2006, he got promoted to IAS and is currently serving as Secretary, Jharkhand State Service Commission.
TOO MANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TRIBES
As a PCS officer in Jharkhand, Mr. Kumar got lots of opportunities to work in tribal areas. He says that most of us have many misconceptions about them, like they are savages and illiterate and not attuned to the idea of development. But this is not the reality, he insisted.
He points out, “I have been in many districts where I was in touch with well-educated people working as headmasters and teachers. While posted in Gumla during 1995-96, I came to know the `Asur’ tribe quite closely. The population of that tribe has shrunk to just a village in that district. The major problem was illegal mining of bauxite, which disturbed their traditional lifestyle. I tried my best to stop this slide but could not succeed.”
But Mr Kumar could not forget his `Asur’ friends. So, he did the next best thing possible – write a book on their life and various problems, and how they had been pushed to the point of losing their identity.
“Even after coming back, I couldn’t forget them and tried to project their plights through the story.”
GLOBAL GAON KA DEVTA
In his book, Global Gaon Ka Devta, Mr. Kumar connects the tribals with the `Asur’ of legend, and how they have been demonised because they lost the `Devasur Sangram” (The Battle with the Gods). He says, “One can’t deny that losing side is always shown in a bad picture. In the earlier times, the Devs (Gods) took everything from them and now we (the privileged class of people) are trying to steal their assets in the name of development.”
GAYAB HOTA DESH
In his second book, Gayab Hota Desh (The Vanishing Country), Mr Kumar highlights the struggle between real estate tycoons and the tribals. He points out that people like Birsa Munda gave his life to safeguard the lands of the tribes. And though laws have been enacted to protect the tribals’ rights, the rich and unscrupulous real estate tycoons try to steal from them in the name of dubious development projects.
NOT AFRAID TO EXPRESS HIS IDEAS
Mr. Kumar’s writings draw their essence from his own convictions, and he is not too careful to be politically correct. When asked if he faced any problems due to this, he said, “I am in administration and expected to work with and for the people. The issues which I raise are also related to the citizens of this country. So, I don’t fear in writing anything because I am honest in my work.”
Mr. Kumar is also excited for the Shri Lal Shukla Award. He said that it’s a great honour for him. He added that he was a great admirer of Shri Lal Shukla and there are many similarities between them. Late Mr Shukla, known for many pathbreaking books such as Rag Darbaari, Sooni Ghati ka Suraj and Aadmi ka Zahar, had started out as a PCS officer.
