Basudev Mahapatra is a writer, editor, researcher and documentarian working on environmental and developmental issues of India. Basudev's primary argument is that the ailments like poverty and hunger can be overcome and sustainability can be achieved by dealing with the issues collectively, judiciously and responsibly. Phone: (+91) 9437575996 Address: N-6 / 92, IRC Village Bhubaneswar, Orissa India - 751015
This article argues that solution journalism is the need of the time to document and highlight mo... more This article argues that solution journalism is the need of the time to document and highlight models of eco-friendly agriculture that bear possibilities for wider replication to achieve food and nutrition security of the farmers and to minimize farm distress.
In the primarily tribal populated districts of Rayagada and Koraput in the eastern state of Odish... more In the primarily tribal populated districts of Rayagada and Koraput in the eastern state of Odisha, local people who have lived in coexistence with the environment, are witness to the depleting biodiversity that they traditionally relied upon for life and livelihood.
Sustainable agriculture being the solution to many problems facing India’s agriculture sector, th... more Sustainable agriculture being the solution to many problems facing India’s agriculture sector, the dongor of Kondh tribal farmers seems to be a successful model with possibilities for wider replication in hilly and upland regions. This apart, reintroduction of indigenous landrace crops in single crop farming bears hopes about food and nutrition security of the farmers as well as minimizing farm distress.
Odisha's tribal women, suffering the adverse health effects of childbirths in quick succession co... more Odisha's tribal women, suffering the adverse health effects of childbirths in quick succession combined with strenuous agricultural and household work, are breaking community norms to use contraceptives - by Basudev Mahapatra
Skill development trainings are not only helping rural communities fight poverty in Assam but are... more Skill development trainings are not only helping rural communities fight poverty in Assam but are also empowering girls to aspire big, overcoming challenges posed by social stigma and deep-rooted gender disparity.
An initiative to reach healthcare services to pregnant women and new mothers in the underdevelope... more An initiative to reach healthcare services to pregnant women and new mothers in the underdeveloped Araku Valley has seen a measure of success in tribal communities ruled by superstition and regressive practices Basudev Mahapatra Jul 16, 2018 Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh A lactating mother is being checked for blood pressure at the daycare center in Godiguda village in Araku Valley (Photo by Basudev Mahapatra) In a lively anganwadi or daycare center in Godiguda village, an auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) conducting health check up of over 10 women, some pregnant and others lactating, reflected the changing scenario in maternal and child health in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. Traditionally, delivery cases handled by a dhai, elderly women from the village or the community, being the practice, and pregnant women visiting a medical or a doctor considered an act against norm, pregnant mothers had to submit themselves to their fate despite high rate of maternal and neonatal mortality in the valley, Malati (35), who has decided to go for an institutional delivery for her sixth child, told VilageSquare.in. Since undergoing family planning surgery, using contraceptives and an abortion by choice are all considered sins against humanity, multiple pregnancies up to five-six children is quite common across the valley inhabited mostly by tribal people. To add to the plight of women were the rough terrain and lack of communication facilities to reach the government primary and community health centers in times of urgency.
Although they are often the actual cultivators, the lack of land rights among women farmers in Od... more Although they are often the actual cultivators, the lack of land rights among women farmers in Odisha has resulted in chronic distress because they are unable to get government loans or compensation over crop loss Basudev Mahapatra Sep 10, 2018 Nuapada, Odisha Since most women in rural Odisha do not have titles over land, they are provided no compensation by the government against crop loss (Photo by Basudev Mahapatra) Since her husband migrated out of Odisha for work, it fell upon Remati Majhi (25) of Dhamnaguda village in Nuapada district to cultivate rice in the fields owned by her husband. But she could neither avail any government loan nor insure the crop because she didn't have title over the land. So, she had no option but to arrange the required resources through private moneylenders. To the misfortune of farmers, a severe draught in Odisha resulted in almost complete loss of kharif (monsoon) crop in 2015. The loss forced nearly 140 indebted farmers across the state to commit suicide. Remati was one of those unfortunate farmers.
Known to be a single nation despite diversity in almost all spheres, India’s spirit of ‘unity in ... more Known to be a single nation despite diversity in almost all spheres, India’s spirit of ‘unity in diversity’ is under threat because of the hate culture that has grown to gargantuan proportion over the years and spread across the country. Expressed in many forms and forums, words of hate, generally called hate speech, have not only spread hatred and incited violence across the length and breadth of India, but also are severely endangering the very fabric and ethos of Indian society. In a more dangerous trend, hatred is aggressively conquering the civic space of the country, restricting free speech and the fundamental rights granted by the Constitution to every citizen of India.
The practice of underage marriage is acute in the tribal-dominated southern and southwestern part... more The practice of underage marriage is acute in the tribal-dominated southern and southwestern parts of Odisha, but interventions on the ground are planting the seeds of change among adolescent girls and their parents
Even though it's the fastest growing economy in the world, malnutrition in India still kills mill... more Even though it's the fastest growing economy in the world, malnutrition in India still kills millions each year. This issue became even more stark when 19 tribal children died in the Nagada village of Odisha.
The story of the Jhodia community of Kashipur in Odisha exemplifies how a democratic government l... more The story of the Jhodia community of Kashipur in Odisha exemplifies how a democratic government like that of India keeps the tribe deprived of its official status and, thus, all the rights given by Indian constitution, just to favour one of India's largest corporate entity that heavily funds political parties to fight elections. Indigenous communities across the globe have been the victim of the nexus between capitalist forces and political power. While corporate houses set their own expansionist agenda, people in political power have been instrumental in pushing them forward in the name of development.
Gandhamardan hill stands as a testimony to the first victory of the people's movement, in Odisha,... more Gandhamardan hill stands as a testimony to the first victory of the people's movement, in Odisha, against mining. But, with more and more mining companies are eying on the bauxite reserved in it, Gandhamardan's existence is threatened. However, any attempt to mine bauxite from Gandhamardan may lead to another battle.
Despite the fact that women's participation in the Indian economy, particularly in agriculture, i... more Despite the fact that women's participation in the Indian economy, particularly in agriculture, is remarkable, most of it is either unpaid or low-paid. As per a rough analysis, women workforce of India subsidises the food market by over 100,000 crore rupees a year. But, unfortunately, the benefit goes to big business houses leaving the women farmers and farm labourers of the country to struggle for a basic minimum survival.
Recurring communal violence in tribal districts of India are evidence that various religious grou... more Recurring communal violence in tribal districts of India are evidence that various religious groups active there have instilled more intolerance and hatred among their followers than establishing harmony.
As female foeticide is more an issue in urban India, it quite seems like a trend emerged as an ad... more As female foeticide is more an issue in urban India, it quite seems like a trend emerged as an adverse impact of awareness about various developments in medical science.
There is no doubt that “India’s Daughter” rediscovers and speaks out the most uncomfortable truth... more There is no doubt that “India’s Daughter” rediscovers and speaks out the most uncomfortable truth in regard to the views of India as a society about its women, which quite convincingly might have played a role in converting many of country’s men into a rapists. But a careful view of the documentary however raises several questions reflecting lacks in display of responsible journalism in the documentary and those points certainly shouldn’t have been ignored by a credible institution like BBC.
While right wing organisations and most of their leaders are in favour of rewriting history on th... more While right wing organisations and most of their leaders are in favour of rewriting history on the view that the history needs a nationalistic perspective as the existing syllabi and the textbooks have a Leftist perspective or Marxist lenience, historians like Romila Thapar and elites term such attempt as violation of human rights and intellectual freedom.
The large-scale displacement inducing industrialisation and development pursued during the rule o... more The large-scale displacement inducing industrialisation and development pursued during the rule of Naveen Patnaik looks to be more in the interests of rich corporate and industrial houses than of the State and its people.
Apart from the fourth pillars of democracy, NGOs form the fifth. In India, the role and contribut... more Apart from the fourth pillars of democracy, NGOs form the fifth. In India, the role and contribution of NGOs in effecting changes in the society, in bringing awareness on various social and cultural stigma, in effective implementation of government welfare programmes, in protecting the rights of the deprived, and in several other areas of development are remarkable.
Indian economy is perceived to have a surge during the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But,... more Indian economy is perceived to have a surge during the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But, many economists and world bodies also apprehend, the growth may not benefit the poor and deprived sections of the country but, rather, widen the gap between the needy and the affluent.
This article argues that solution journalism is the need of the time to document and highlight mo... more This article argues that solution journalism is the need of the time to document and highlight models of eco-friendly agriculture that bear possibilities for wider replication to achieve food and nutrition security of the farmers and to minimize farm distress.
In the primarily tribal populated districts of Rayagada and Koraput in the eastern state of Odish... more In the primarily tribal populated districts of Rayagada and Koraput in the eastern state of Odisha, local people who have lived in coexistence with the environment, are witness to the depleting biodiversity that they traditionally relied upon for life and livelihood.
Sustainable agriculture being the solution to many problems facing India’s agriculture sector, th... more Sustainable agriculture being the solution to many problems facing India’s agriculture sector, the dongor of Kondh tribal farmers seems to be a successful model with possibilities for wider replication in hilly and upland regions. This apart, reintroduction of indigenous landrace crops in single crop farming bears hopes about food and nutrition security of the farmers as well as minimizing farm distress.
Odisha's tribal women, suffering the adverse health effects of childbirths in quick succession co... more Odisha's tribal women, suffering the adverse health effects of childbirths in quick succession combined with strenuous agricultural and household work, are breaking community norms to use contraceptives - by Basudev Mahapatra
Skill development trainings are not only helping rural communities fight poverty in Assam but are... more Skill development trainings are not only helping rural communities fight poverty in Assam but are also empowering girls to aspire big, overcoming challenges posed by social stigma and deep-rooted gender disparity.
An initiative to reach healthcare services to pregnant women and new mothers in the underdevelope... more An initiative to reach healthcare services to pregnant women and new mothers in the underdeveloped Araku Valley has seen a measure of success in tribal communities ruled by superstition and regressive practices Basudev Mahapatra Jul 16, 2018 Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh A lactating mother is being checked for blood pressure at the daycare center in Godiguda village in Araku Valley (Photo by Basudev Mahapatra) In a lively anganwadi or daycare center in Godiguda village, an auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) conducting health check up of over 10 women, some pregnant and others lactating, reflected the changing scenario in maternal and child health in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. Traditionally, delivery cases handled by a dhai, elderly women from the village or the community, being the practice, and pregnant women visiting a medical or a doctor considered an act against norm, pregnant mothers had to submit themselves to their fate despite high rate of maternal and neonatal mortality in the valley, Malati (35), who has decided to go for an institutional delivery for her sixth child, told VilageSquare.in. Since undergoing family planning surgery, using contraceptives and an abortion by choice are all considered sins against humanity, multiple pregnancies up to five-six children is quite common across the valley inhabited mostly by tribal people. To add to the plight of women were the rough terrain and lack of communication facilities to reach the government primary and community health centers in times of urgency.
Although they are often the actual cultivators, the lack of land rights among women farmers in Od... more Although they are often the actual cultivators, the lack of land rights among women farmers in Odisha has resulted in chronic distress because they are unable to get government loans or compensation over crop loss Basudev Mahapatra Sep 10, 2018 Nuapada, Odisha Since most women in rural Odisha do not have titles over land, they are provided no compensation by the government against crop loss (Photo by Basudev Mahapatra) Since her husband migrated out of Odisha for work, it fell upon Remati Majhi (25) of Dhamnaguda village in Nuapada district to cultivate rice in the fields owned by her husband. But she could neither avail any government loan nor insure the crop because she didn't have title over the land. So, she had no option but to arrange the required resources through private moneylenders. To the misfortune of farmers, a severe draught in Odisha resulted in almost complete loss of kharif (monsoon) crop in 2015. The loss forced nearly 140 indebted farmers across the state to commit suicide. Remati was one of those unfortunate farmers.
Known to be a single nation despite diversity in almost all spheres, India’s spirit of ‘unity in ... more Known to be a single nation despite diversity in almost all spheres, India’s spirit of ‘unity in diversity’ is under threat because of the hate culture that has grown to gargantuan proportion over the years and spread across the country. Expressed in many forms and forums, words of hate, generally called hate speech, have not only spread hatred and incited violence across the length and breadth of India, but also are severely endangering the very fabric and ethos of Indian society. In a more dangerous trend, hatred is aggressively conquering the civic space of the country, restricting free speech and the fundamental rights granted by the Constitution to every citizen of India.
The practice of underage marriage is acute in the tribal-dominated southern and southwestern part... more The practice of underage marriage is acute in the tribal-dominated southern and southwestern parts of Odisha, but interventions on the ground are planting the seeds of change among adolescent girls and their parents
Even though it's the fastest growing economy in the world, malnutrition in India still kills mill... more Even though it's the fastest growing economy in the world, malnutrition in India still kills millions each year. This issue became even more stark when 19 tribal children died in the Nagada village of Odisha.
The story of the Jhodia community of Kashipur in Odisha exemplifies how a democratic government l... more The story of the Jhodia community of Kashipur in Odisha exemplifies how a democratic government like that of India keeps the tribe deprived of its official status and, thus, all the rights given by Indian constitution, just to favour one of India's largest corporate entity that heavily funds political parties to fight elections. Indigenous communities across the globe have been the victim of the nexus between capitalist forces and political power. While corporate houses set their own expansionist agenda, people in political power have been instrumental in pushing them forward in the name of development.
Gandhamardan hill stands as a testimony to the first victory of the people's movement, in Odisha,... more Gandhamardan hill stands as a testimony to the first victory of the people's movement, in Odisha, against mining. But, with more and more mining companies are eying on the bauxite reserved in it, Gandhamardan's existence is threatened. However, any attempt to mine bauxite from Gandhamardan may lead to another battle.
Despite the fact that women's participation in the Indian economy, particularly in agriculture, i... more Despite the fact that women's participation in the Indian economy, particularly in agriculture, is remarkable, most of it is either unpaid or low-paid. As per a rough analysis, women workforce of India subsidises the food market by over 100,000 crore rupees a year. But, unfortunately, the benefit goes to big business houses leaving the women farmers and farm labourers of the country to struggle for a basic minimum survival.
Recurring communal violence in tribal districts of India are evidence that various religious grou... more Recurring communal violence in tribal districts of India are evidence that various religious groups active there have instilled more intolerance and hatred among their followers than establishing harmony.
As female foeticide is more an issue in urban India, it quite seems like a trend emerged as an ad... more As female foeticide is more an issue in urban India, it quite seems like a trend emerged as an adverse impact of awareness about various developments in medical science.
There is no doubt that “India’s Daughter” rediscovers and speaks out the most uncomfortable truth... more There is no doubt that “India’s Daughter” rediscovers and speaks out the most uncomfortable truth in regard to the views of India as a society about its women, which quite convincingly might have played a role in converting many of country’s men into a rapists. But a careful view of the documentary however raises several questions reflecting lacks in display of responsible journalism in the documentary and those points certainly shouldn’t have been ignored by a credible institution like BBC.
While right wing organisations and most of their leaders are in favour of rewriting history on th... more While right wing organisations and most of their leaders are in favour of rewriting history on the view that the history needs a nationalistic perspective as the existing syllabi and the textbooks have a Leftist perspective or Marxist lenience, historians like Romila Thapar and elites term such attempt as violation of human rights and intellectual freedom.
The large-scale displacement inducing industrialisation and development pursued during the rule o... more The large-scale displacement inducing industrialisation and development pursued during the rule of Naveen Patnaik looks to be more in the interests of rich corporate and industrial houses than of the State and its people.
Apart from the fourth pillars of democracy, NGOs form the fifth. In India, the role and contribut... more Apart from the fourth pillars of democracy, NGOs form the fifth. In India, the role and contribution of NGOs in effecting changes in the society, in bringing awareness on various social and cultural stigma, in effective implementation of government welfare programmes, in protecting the rights of the deprived, and in several other areas of development are remarkable.
Indian economy is perceived to have a surge during the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But,... more Indian economy is perceived to have a surge during the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But, many economists and world bodies also apprehend, the growth may not benefit the poor and deprived sections of the country but, rather, widen the gap between the needy and the affluent.
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