No bread in a ballot

Ask him about politics and he prefers to keep quiet—like most tribal communities, they are indifferent to the Great Indian Democracy tamasha.

Claiming to be forty years old (that is estimated because he does not know his birthdate) Dutta studied upto fourth standard at a nearby zilla parishad school but was later forced to work as a farm labourer due to poverty.

In fact, nobody in his family is educated.

‘‘Kaam milte teva pot bharte, shikun kaay karnar?’’ (We can make out both ends meet only if we get work, what to do with education?), he says matter-of-factly when asked why he did not study.

Every year, work is available for five-six months when the agricultural activities are on—from tilling to harvesting. Rest of the months, occasional work at the houses of villagers is all what he gets.

But he has been a regular voter for several years though he does not remember since when.

It is simple. On the day of election, eligible family members (voters) at the hamlet are taken to the polling booth for voting. Before going, they are told which symbol they should vote for.

Does he vote for the same symbol everytime? ‘‘We just put a stamp on the symbol as told by Sarpanch,’’he admits shyly.

Sharad Pawar or A R Antulay are not unlucky like Vajpayee. Dutta knows them.

‘‘They both were at the meeting for which we were taken,’’he explains. No prizes for guessing why Dutta went for the rally.

Tapwater and primary school are available in an adjoining village, Kamburli. The public health centre a some way away but Dutta seems content.

Shouldn’t he ask politicians for these facilities for his children when they come for votes? ‘‘Kashala? Apun bara, aplna kam bara’’ (Why? We are concerned with our livelihood!’’)

In the pursuit of bread, the ballot can take a back seat.