Pardhi Bheda, a small and distinct community located in the Wardha district, is notably unique for several reasons, standing out as a remarkable exception amid the social landscape of Gandhi’s backyard. This tiny community is home to a unique group of indigenous individuals who engage in the production of alcohol as a means of livelihood in this only dry district of the state.
The community has acclimatised to a lifestyle marked by relative isolation and seclusion from the outside world. This photo story provides a brief glimpse into their daily lives, the surroundings they inhabit, and introduces some members of their community, allowing readers to understand their circumstances better.
Community Environment And Social Lifestyle
The road leading up to the settlements is in a debilitated state, characterized by poor maintenance and numerous obstacles. Due to the illegal nature of their income-generating activities, the community lives under the constant threat of scrutiny and intervention by authorities. This omnipresent fear instills a heightened sense of caution among community members regarding any external vehicles that approach their entry point. The presence of cameras is particularly alarming for them; it can lead to significant anxiety and shifts in their behaviour.
In order to mitigate this anxiety, frontline health workers or research teams, including ours, must utilize the vehicle horn to signal their approach, alerting the community of an incoming external team. If we do not undertake such measures, the villagers’ instinctive reaction upon seeing any unfamiliar face would be to hastily dispose of any currently stored drums or conceal any of their produce from direct view.
The entire community comprises fewer than 25 families, highlighting its small size and tight-knit nature. The predominant languages spoken in this area are Pardhi, a localized dialect, and Marathi.
As you enter the narrow stretch leading to the cluster of houses, the unmistakable smell of desi alcohol permeates the air, a testament to the community’s primary means of livelihood. Many of the drums showcased in the accompanying pictures serve to hold the finished product of their labor.
The majority of the houses in Pardhi Bheda are constructed using temporary materials, with metal sheets serving as walls and tarpaulin sheets used for roofing. However, some families, particularly those with members involved in alternative forms of employment, have managed to build sturdier, more permanent homes which offer better protection and stability.
Meet The Next Generation Of The Community
Our visit aimed to conduct the 12 months HOME assessments for the children included in our study cohort, building upon insights from a previous article that provides valuable context relevant to this assessment. One of the families we encountered was the *Chitade family.
During our visit, we collected vital information regarding the weight, height, hemoglobin (Hb) level, and HOME assessment for their youngest member, *Samir Chitade, who was 32 months old as on date of the visit. Our visit took place on April 27, 2024, shortly after the festival of Holi. Since our last assessment a year earlier, the family had endured a significant loss — the passing of the boy’s father. Now, the family relies on the beleaguered mother, *Mandara, who is just 23 years old and lacks formal education. She has been receiving support from other relatives, who are part of their joint family structure, while she perseveres in her daily farm labor work throughout the morning hours.
Unfortunately, over the past year, the HOME score for Samir has diminished. The mean scores for the family were already low compared to the typical scores observed across the district. It is concerning that Samir lacks any toys for play, highlighting a critical deficit in his developmental environment. Most of the care he receives is from his aunt, and it is worth mentioning that the area around their home poses safety risks that could adversely affect Samir’s overall well-being.
Another child we assessed during our visit was *Mangesh Kushagra*, who is currently 23 months old. His nuclear family consists of his father, his mother, and two older brothers, aged 8 and 5 years respectively. Both parents are school dropouts; the father works as a shepherd while the mother manages the household. In contrast to the previous family we assessed, Mangesh’s HOME score was notably higher, indicating an improvement in their living conditions and overall support environment compared to the last assessment conducted a year ago.
* – names changed to maintain confidentiality.
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