Bolangir: The success story of an impoverished couple reaffirms the adage that hard work always pays off. Once rescued as bonded labourers, Samaru Kahakur (45) and his wife Jema (40) of Chandanbhati village are now recognised as successful farmers of Sadar block in this district.
“Abject poverty forced us to leave our ancestral land and work in Andhra Pradesh as bonded labourers. But the time has changed. What we now earn from farming is adequate to lead a comfortable life,” said Samaru.
The couple along with three of their four children had gone to work in a brick kiln in the neighbourng state after taking advance payment from a labour contractor in 2012. They were made to work round the clock in the kiln and led pitiable lives.
Meanwhile, Andhra police raided the kiln and rescued them along with other labourers. They were sent back to Bolangir and given certificates of bonded labourers. Samaru along with four other members of his family received Rs 19,000 each under Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act. And this proved to be a turning point in their lives.
After getting a total of Rs 95,000, Samaru took a piece of land on lease from a fellow villager and started farming cauliflower, greens and radish. The hard work of the family members didn’t go in vain and they managed to overcome poverty in a couple of years.
Meanwhile, Samaru married off one of his daughters and sent his younger son to work in an industrial unit in Tamil Nadu. While the elder son helps his father in farming, the couple is now ready to get their other daughter married.
Samaru is known as a successful farmer in the region and his green vegetable field bears testimony to his effort.
Though the couple has become inspirations for others, the administration has not encouraged them for their strong determination.
They would have been in a better position with facilities like pump sets and electricity connection for irrigation, said Samaru.
Bolangir is infamous for having a large number of bonded labourers and the administration should highlight the effort of this couple to encourage others to become self-reliant, said conscious citizens of the town. PNN
