An interview with Social Activist Daya Bai

Social activist Dayabai narrated how the tribal have a close relation with earth. She tells how the tribal call the Earth as ‘Dharti Ma’ (Mother Earth) and how they did a play Dharti Ma ko Bhukar Hai (Mother Earth is Sick). In the play the mother earth is sick and a local medic is called to heal her.

She also tells how we can led a green life and also talks about here future projects.

“Long before global warming became a hot topic, about  35 years ago when I was in this village,  chemical fertilizers were not  used in agriculture at that time. They practice purely organic and natural farming. .” 

 “Darti Maa Ko Bukkar Hai” (Mother Earth is Sick) 

 “Since coming to this area (Chindwada), I have heard the word Dhartimer (Mother Earth). Once they performed a play called Dharti Maa ko Bhukar Hai (Mother Earth is Sick). In the play, they say ‘Dharti me wapas jao’ (return to nature), ‘Parkarti sae jud jao’ (become one with nature) to heal Mother Earth. So we are moving away from nature and the earth is getting warmer. The only way to heal was to return to nature,  to Mother Earth. The work ended with these words. ” says social activist Dayabai

Understanding Earth Science and Signs 

 “When I was among them, I understood a lot. I could feel a lot, like when it rained, they were able to understand the science and the symptoms.” ” 

 “I  also worked for them as a day labourer. When my father died in 1995, my uncle and brother came and gave me some money.  I thought I had become like a tribesman, but I hadn’t become a farmer. I just worked with them. That’s why I decided to become a farmer.” 

 Do not plow and harm mother earth: social activist Dayabai 

 “When other tribes are nearby, they don’t even plow. They say that when we plow, we cut through Mother Earth’s chest and harm the  earth. You plant seeds by digging a small hole and you pull out  wild tubers by hand and eat them.You have such a close connection with nature.” 

 People should live together like trees in a forest 

 “Actually, I just learned from all this. Looking at it, I thought that if you look at the forest, various trees live together. There is no danger of confusing anyone. Human existence  should  be the same. ” 

I started farming while thinking about that. And then I started doing everything myself. Thanks to my creativity, I was able to design the farmland in a very artistic way. No chemicals are used. And please give back naturally what is not useful  to us. There are mothers and children who feel the earth. “