WHEN Kanti came to India from Bangladesh, his family received around five acres of forestland from the government to build a house and start farming. Kanti, a resident of Betul district in Madhya Pradesh, confirms that it took him and other families several years just to understand the land before they were able to start farming. As Bangladeshi farmers, they mostly knew only how to cultivate rice, which requires sufficient water and fertile ground to sow rice grains, but what they received was just forested land. Ashish, son of Kanti, recalls that his father secured a job while staying at the rehabilitation camp. He remembers his father narrating the stories of getting only wheat grains from the ration shop of the government. As Bengalis, they desperately craved for rice, so when they brought flour from the refinery, they used to boil it in water and have it as a substitute. Today, Kanti, who is a retired tailor by profession, remembers his camp days in Madhya Pradesh not as a bad dream, but as a harsh reality that had transformed his life forever.
This story is from the 1 August 2023 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 1 August 2023 edition of Outlook.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Muslim Question
In the time of polarisation politics and othering, how to respond to the banality of hate?
Voters' Cold Wave
Heat wave, voter apathy and cyclic migration are blamed for the poor voter turnout in Bihar. Political parties are clueless about what impact will it have on election results
Occupy Ivy League
Students protesting in American universities are asking the US government to rethink its policy towards Israel
Left Side Story
Personal attacks, lower voter turnout and the BJP’s determined campaigning: how has Kerala voted this time?
Across the Pir Panjals
The newly carved-out constituency of Anantnag-Rajouri is set to witness a very close contest
Gashes in the Red Sand
Residents of the tribal district of Gadchiroli resist development models that destroy the environment
When Taps and Hope Run Dry
Peaking water scarcity and pervasive groundwater contamination have increased migration from many districts of Rajasthan.
Pilgrim's Politics
Two-time MP from Varanasi, Narendra Modi, is sculpting the eternal city in his image
Under The Model Town
Muslim ghettos in Ahmedabad are dilapidated and neglected
The Master Strategist
The Assam chief minister enjoys popularity both as an administrator and a politician despite his relentless anti-Muslim rhetoric