For a long time, “Kalahandi” has been synonymous with hunger, malnutrition, drought and backwardness in our country. Shri Amarendra Kishore’s book “Mazdooron ki Mandi Kalahandi” comprehensively discusses these issues. Although Kalahandi was once rich in natural flora and fauna, but owing to exploitation, entire area along with forest was ruined and the lives of the tribal were also tumble-down.

Today, the tribal of Kalahandi are yearning for drinking water and food. In the absence of a fixed livelihood, they have become labourers. Man-made circumstances have made them slaves of country liquor and tobacco. Children, daughters and sisters-in-law are being sold for a few rupees. Due to atrocities being committed on girls by influential people of the area, the number of unmarried mothers is increasing in Kalahandi.

Faith and religion play an important role in the ecosystem of society to live a healthy and happy life, but the religious authorities deprived the tribal people of their religion, temples and gods.  

The government has made many claims of development and implementation of many schemes in Kalahandi, which include connecting villages to the nearest city by road, free distribution of rice, financial support, availability of electricity, schools, primary hospitals etc, but the author has exposed the claims of the government by revealing the truth of Kalahandi.

In short, this book is the story of exploitation of tribal, plunder of natural resources, administrative mismanagement, social, economic and religious discrepancies and government’s false development claims. Since the language of this book is interesting and fluent, I am quite sanguine, readers will be inspired to read it in one sitting.

Book- “Mazdooron Ki Mandi Kalahandi”

Author- Amarendra Kishore

Publisher- Booksmith, Sector-13, Rohini, New Delhi-110085

Publication Year 2024

Price (Paperback) Rs. 999/-

Reviewer- Satish Singh, Ahmedabad based Senior Columnist

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