मध्यप्रदेश के महुआटोला गांव से कुमारी सोमवती का गीत :

ओ हो हो हाय रे किसानी धंधा आज
हो जावे धनवान रे किसानी धंधा आज
जंगल झाड पहाड़ काटो और बनाओ खेत
भैया और बनाओ खेत
फिर कुछ दिन के बाद उनका भर दो पेट
आम लगाओ बिही लगाओ और लगाओ कला
भैया और लगाओ केला
फिर कुछ दिन के बाद में घर में लगेगा मेला
ऐसी ऐसी बाँध बांधियो जैसे सागर ताल
भैया जैसे सागर ताल
ऐसे ऐसे खाद डालियो अन्न पके हर साल
पडकन पडकन खम्भा गड़े है
खंभा के ऊपर तार रे भैया खम्भा के ऊपर तार
तार तार से बात कराथे दिल्ली के सरकार

If Teachers are not paid for three months, despite instructions from higher authorities, how will they do their jobs? Asks Virendra Sahu.
With soaring prices, the teachers in their village are suffering.
For more contact Bhan Sahu at 9406033089

Bhan Sahu today is visiting a primary school in Sonsaitola village in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh where a girl child Yamini Sahu sings a Chhattisgarhi song for her:

छत्तीसगढ़ के माटी मा संगी उपजे हीरा धान रे
लहलहावत खेत देख के खुश होते किसान रे
बड़े दिन्हिया ले सोचे हामन जातन खेत गा
लहू पसीना ला एक करथन तब तो भरथे पेटगा

For translation please contact Bhan Ji at 09479045083

When the parents of the girl failed to provide what was demanded by in laws, the husband was packed off to another city, and the girl had to deal with humiliation at the hands of the mother in law and sister in law. Finally she was sent back to her parents home. Intervening on behalf of a young woman who had to deal with demands for dowry, Bhan Sahu does not see them relenting. A visit to the police station revealed that a case for divorce had already been filed. Despite ill treatment meted out, the girl is even now ready to go to her husband’s home if they accept her, because she feels that if she goes back to her parent’s home, where she has a brother, she will face humiliation at the hands of his future wife. How is one to reconcile with such a mindset in our women, asks Bhan Sahu.

Come January, for two months rural Chhattisgarh has a tradition of Ramayan conventions. Usually they are lead by men. However Bhan Sahu is reporting from Gokhninchua village where she attended one such 2 day event. However she was pleasantly surprised by the fact that a woman lead the team of performers. Not only that, Kanta ji is a dalit woman from a very ordinary family, and works as a teacher. She adds that in her personal opinion, women need to do more than stand up in a religious gathering, be more involved in the politics of the region, for true empowerment, but still Kanta ji’s achievement is laudable. For more Bhan Ji can be reached at 08962646922