Challenges in front of Nandlal Oraon, a tribal resident, were similar to his other co villagers and those of interior areas of Gumla.
Known as green pasture for outlawed organisations including CPI-Maoists, PlFI and several other splinter groups, the vast stretch of undulating topography filled with forests and shrubs has sparsely present means of livelihood, vocational education and exposure to mainstream for youths. Nandlal had easier option to join the Reds, like many known to him did, but he looked other way. An intermediate pass out, the 19-year-old tribal boy leased out some of his land to ensure Rs two lakh as loan and invest the money into a
business that was quite unknown and unique for the region, leave alone the village.
“I was wandering what to do after my college then some of my relatives suggested for emu breeding. It required around two lakh rupees to get the pairs of birds and also to construct the enclosure etcetera. I decided to try my luck and went ahead,” says Nandlal, a resident of Khora Pathra Toli, about six kilometers away from Gumla town.
He got five pairs of emu, an Australian bird, from Samridhi Emu Breeding Farms in August 2013.
The company would be giving him required
medicines besides food and also a guarantee to buyback the eggs and meat produced.
“When I started the work last year, some of those people (he hesitated to name due to Naxals activeness and as many among them are from his village as well) come to me. They enquired about what I am doing and from where I have got the birds. After few days, I got a message to join them or support them,” revealed the tribal boy.
Considering the presence and influence of the prescribed groups the situation was like catch 22 for Nandlal. But he decided to focus and not to respond to the Naxals’ call. It would not have been his muscle power for sure that
has dented all the powerful leftwing extremists but his determination.
“later they came and said ‘hum logon ko bhi meat khilate rahna (please share the emu’s meat with us as well). I think they must be knowing my conditions and realised my sincerity. They do not target those who believe in hard work,” says Nandlal professing an idea before the thousands who go for an easy pick hiding behind the messed up atmosphere. After one and half years more, Nandlal would start earning from his brave step. “My birds would be laying eggs from next September.
A pair of emu would give 10 to 12 eggs in first year, 25 to 30 in the second and 35 to 40 in the third. Besides I would be able to sale the meat of the matured birds,” he said joyously. His joy is not just because of the market price of the products-one emu egg is sold at Rs 1000 and a kgof meat over Rs 300-but also to find a way out of the wilderness.