Srikripa Raghunathan, a social work postgraduate from TISS is on a mission to find out what is causing acute anemia among the tribes of Gond, Oreon and Pandu of Jagannathpur, a remote area in Chhattisgarh. She spoke to Varsha Torgalkar about her quest to finding a solution. A Hyderabadi girl Srikripa Ragunathan has been trying to understand food consumption patterns of tribal people in the village Jagannathpur in Chhattisgarh who are suffering from malnutrition. She wants to come up with the solution to the health problems of these tribal folk. What does your work involve? I had roamed around villages in Chhattisgarh for the first six months of this year. I have been staying in this village called Jagannathpur and have been trying to understand food consumption patterns of households here. Three major tribes- Gond, Oreon and Pandu inhabit this area. Most of the women here are anemic. I mingle and talk with them try to understand their daily food consumption pattern and timing is, choice of food – ingredients and method of cooking. Found any solutions yet? I have been here for only six months. I am still an outsider so I am trying to build a rapport with them. I cannot simply put my ideas before them. First there is the need to understand their culture, thinking and habits. Next, I have to win their trust. Then only there can be a better interaction and we will be able to know the difficulties they are undergoing and bring out solution that are agreeable to them. We have to necessarily bring out solutions that are in line with their with their traditions or be good at convincing them to give up certain old ways of thinking and adopt new methods to get over their problems. Why did you choose this place? I have done my MA in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. I have got a two-year fellowship. As a part of the programme, I am working on this project. I was always keen to work in health sector in remote areas which is neglected in our country. I want to understand community health and the prominent and prevalent issues in this sector. I am keen on setting up a youth centre here. I am also making efforts to bring about government health service programmes to this area. Source: The Hans India
