January 30, 2002

Dang: Most of the freed Kamaiyas of Dang, who were earlier forced to work as bonded labourers for the local landlords due to poverty and illiteracy, are on way to becoming self-dependent.

Since the government announcement to free the bonded labourers last year, they have found an opportunity to live a life of self respect and dignity by gradually taking to other professions.

Earlier when they were forced to work as per the will of their landlords, they were given a paltry sum of money and grains on yearly basis in exchange of their back-breaking work.

They used to live in small houses almost like slum dwellers and their dwellings were owned by the landlords.

Now some of them are living in houses provided by the District Land Reforms Office, Dang. Besides, the freed Kamaiyas are being given professional trainings in different fields.

“As a result of this they are living life of self-dependence and self- respect,” say freed Kamaiyas.

There are a total of four hundred and five freed Kamaiyas in two municipalities and thirty nine Village Development Committees of Dang. “For all round development of these freed Kamaiyas, the District Land Reforms Office launched various programmes since last fiscal year for their upliftment and rehabilitation,” says Bharat Kumar Budhathoki, office chief at the Land Reforms Office.

Under these programmes, jointly initiated by the Land Reforms Office and the District Freed Kamaiyas Rehabilitation Committee, one hundred and seventy five people have been provided with a maximum of five katthas of land each for residential purposes so far.

“Other freed Kamaiyas are being provided with different skill trainings for income generation,” says Chularam Chaudhary, a freed Kamaiya of Manpur, Dang. “They are making better incomes now,” he says.