A people’s manifesto of expectations from Chambal

LUCKNOW: Diffusing the echo of rebellion that ruled the ravines of Chambal for centuries, a peoples’ group in the badland has come up with a manifesto of their expectations from politicians in the election season.
Manifesto released by bandit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi's mother Moola Devi in Jalaun lends voice to everyday problems faced by the people in the region."This manifesto is for the political parties. We will vote for the one who addresses our demand,” she said.

The manifesto was anchored by a local social activist Shah Alam on the basis of personal interviews with over 800 persons across districts of Etawah, Dholpur, Bah, Jalaun, Auraiya in UP and Morena and Bhind in Madhya Pradesh.

“Dacoits and criminals are a small minority in the infamous which is inhabited by simple people who need the attention of policymakers but have not got their due over the elections,” Alam told TOI adding that copies of the manifesto have been dispatched to the office of different political parties.
He added that a walk in the villages of the Chambal region could be compared with boarding a time machine and going to the India of the 1950s.
“People starve. The young residents migrate to cities for a job while the elderly are left to fend for themselves. Houses lack basic amenities like safe drinking water, schools and hospitals. Their subsistence compelled me and my friends to become a catalyst of their voice through this manifesto,” Alam stated.
The four paged manifesto is a compilation of key demands for the region which included formation of Chambal Commission for a scientific study of the issues and challenges marring the life of people in the Chambal district along with solutions, constitute Chambal development authority for creation of basic infrastructure like roads, generate employment, and bring Chambal on the tourism map among other things.
It also includes a district wise charter for demands. For instance, people of Etawah have asked for a Military school, Chambal language academy, a modern auditorium and job opportunities.
Likewise, residents of Morena have demanded rail connectivity with Gwalior and Kota (Rajasthan), the revival of a sugar factory, bridge over Chambal River and so on.
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