Effort to focus on a neglected core area
Aruti Nayar

Grameen kshetra ki patrakarita
by Renuka Nayar. Haryana Sahitya Akademi. Pages 144. Rs 100.

MAHATMA GANDHI was of the view that India’s soul lives in its villages, since ours is primarily an agricultural country. Not everyone subscribes to this perception, if the focus on rural areas in terms of the news space devoted and reportage is an indicator. We, the fast-track urbanites seem to have become indifferent and apathetic towards the soul of India.

This book emphasises the fact that unless there is focus on progress in the rural areas, all claims of all-round growth and much-hyped development will be lop-sided. Written in a simple, narrative style, it is extremely informative as it packs in facts, figures and analysis with rigour. The effort is to explain and contextualise the argument against the bigger picture, that is against the backdrop of social indicators and determinants that impact journalism and reportage in the rural areas.

Various chapters such as: The background of journalism, social problems, agricultural journalism, the economic situation of the rural milieu, rural sports and fairs, panchayats, mass communication, telecommunication and development, rural journalism, some directions, give an overview of the components of the rural milieu and stress on what is needed to privilege these areas. The conclusion sums up the writer’s worldview. The extensive references and apt use of primary and secondary sources as well as a bibliography will help others who might be keen to do further research in the given field.

In the entertainment-oriented times, we in the cities forget the manner in which the mass media can play the role of a catalyst in dissemination of information and new technology. We are still to address ourselves to the problems of storage, processing and utilisation of all produce, so as to avoid or minimise wastage. Using television and radio for consciousness-raising is important. Even newer seeds and varities can be popularised through radio programmes. One such example is of A.D.T 527, a high-yield variety of rice that was popularised through radio programmes by agricultural scientists in Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu. It was subsequently called "radio rice." In this age of technological advancement and computer literacy, we can not even imagine, leave alone understand or empathise with the problems of the rural areas. Some villages are still in the bullock-cart age, where there is no food to eat, neither schools nor hospitals. Besides the backward economic conditions which make scarcity a way of life, it is important for rural journalists to focus on the socio-cultural factors as well as practices that are determined by blind faith superstitions and rigidity due to lack of literacy and education.

The writer focuses on how shackles of casteism retard development and prevent growth. This also leads to honour killings of young couples who defy the caste-based hierarchy and fall in love. What we think belongs to the dark ages, seems perfectly acceptable and even valid for the villagers, who neither protest nor resist whenever there is an honour killing.

The writer stresses on the fact if journalism is treated as a profession that will empower the journalist and give him access to power, then it is better to look else where. One must believe that it is a mission that will involve a crusader’s zeal. The effort should be to mirror the social and cultural practices or lack of implementation of schemes initiated by the government. Those who venture into rural reporting, have to be sensitised as well as made sensitive to the milieu and its attendant problems.

It goes to the writer’s credit that not only has she researched and collected relevant data diligently but also focussed upon a core area that is often neglected. Providing a context to factors that determine the rate of growth and development in the rural areas is helpful. In fact, it should be mandatory for students of journalism to visit rural areas and see for themselves a world that one tends to gloss over because it does not seem important enough.

Why is it that such a core area does not have any attractively illustrated and well brought out books that can attract those who are interested in this field?

HOME