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Publication:Times Of India Mumbai;
Date:Mar 4, 2004;
Section:Bombay Times;
Page Number:25
TRUE ACHIEVER
‘All literacy and poverty issues are related to land’
Deelip Mhaske chucked up the chance for a lucrative corporate career to research the plight of the state’s landless people. The result: a scheme that is set to benefit 18 lakh people
SMITA DESHMUKH Times News Network At 26, he could have easily settled into a cushy corporate job. But treading a different path comes naturally to Deelip Mhaske. A masters in social work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), he left a lucrative job to plunge headlong into research. And today, his singlehanded effort has ensured livelihood for over 18 lakh poor people in Maharashtra. The Mhaske story has all the elements of grit and determination amongst young people who not only believe in change but are also willing to work towards it. A love for research made him study law and inch towards Loksatta, an NGO working in the field of education and development. That’s where Mhaske did pioneering fieldwork — travelling in drought-hit areas of Marathwada to studying the plight of landless labourers. His findings were revealing — 26 per cent of the state population comprises landless and bonded labourers who are illiterate. He found that most of these people encroach on arable land, which is around 35,000 acres. The result: most of them are arrested and their cases go on for up to 25 years. “All literacy and poverty issues are related to land. If such a huge chunk of land is lying vacant, why can’t it be legally given to these poor people who are fighting for one square meal a day, several of them committing suicide?” asks Mhaske. Eager to find a solution, he wrote to almost all top politicians, but the only one who showed genuine interest was former Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. A meeting with Singh lead to a chance to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi. “The scheduled 15-minute meeting lasted 45 minutes. Big leaders were waiting outside as Gandhi decided to take up the issue with the state Democratic Front (DF) government,” recalls Mhaske. The state government has now announced a scheme proposing 4 acres of land per family, which will benefit around 18 lakh people. Titled Swabhiman Yojana, the scheme offers 2 acres of free land and 2 acres of land via interest-free loans of 10 years. Despite this, Mhaske is cautious. “Fund allocation should be proper. I hope this policy does not remain a mere political stunt. The policy should be monitored by a core team.” While some newspapers did take notice, Mhaske’s work remains largely unnoticed. But the man is not upset with the general apathy around him. “What can you expect from people who are constantly running a hectic life in metros? But all’s not lost. There are people willing to help. It’s encouraging.” smita.deshmukh@timesgroup.com THE PROBLEM 26 per cent of the state’s population comprises landless and bonded labourers who are illiterate. Most of them encroach on arable land. Many are arrested and their cases go on for up to 25 years. WHAT MHASKE ACHIEVED 4 acres per family, which will benefit around 18 lakh people. The Swabhiman Yojana offers 2 acres free and 2 acres of land via interest-free loans of 10 years. PERFECT LAND-ING: Dileep Mhaske
Publication:Times Of India Mumbai;
Date:Mar 4, 2004;
Section:Bombay Times;
Page Number:25
TRUE ACHIEVER
‘All literacy and poverty issues are related to land’
Deelip Mhaske chucked up the chance for a lucrative corporate career to research the plight of the state’s landless people. The result: a scheme that is set to benefit 18 lakh people
SMITA DESHMUKH Times News Network At 26, he could have easily settled into a cushy corporate job. But treading a different path comes naturally to Deelip Mhaske. A masters in social work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), he left a lucrative job to plunge headlong into research. And today, his singlehanded effort has ensured livelihood for over 18 lakh poor people in Maharashtra. The Mhaske story has all the elements of grit and determination amongst young people who not only believe in change but are also willing to work towards it. A love for research made him study law and inch towards Loksatta, an NGO working in the field of education and development. That’s where Mhaske did pioneering fieldwork — travelling in drought-hit areas of Marathwada to studying the plight of landless labourers. His findings were revealing — 26 per cent of the state population comprises landless and bonded labourers who are illiterate. He found that most of these people encroach on arable land, which is around 35,000 acres. The result: most of them are arrested and their cases go on for up to 25 years. “All literacy and poverty issues are related to land. If such a huge chunk of land is lying vacant, why can’t it be legally given to these poor people who are fighting for one square meal a day, several of them committing suicide?” asks Mhaske. Eager to find a solution, he wrote to almost all top politicians, but the only one who showed genuine interest was former Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. A meeting with Singh lead to a chance to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi. “The scheduled 15-minute meeting lasted 45 minutes. Big leaders were waiting outside as Gandhi decided to take up the issue with the state Democratic Front (DF) government,” recalls Mhaske. The state government has now announced a scheme proposing 4 acres of land per family, which will benefit around 18 lakh people. Titled Swabhiman Yojana, the scheme offers 2 acres of free land and 2 acres of land via interest-free loans of 10 years. Despite this, Mhaske is cautious. “Fund allocation should be proper. I hope this policy does not remain a mere political stunt. The policy should be monitored by a core team.” While some newspapers did take notice, Mhaske’s work remains largely unnoticed. But the man is not upset with the general apathy around him. “What can you expect from people who are constantly running a hectic life in metros? But all’s not lost. There are people willing to help. It’s encouraging.” smita.deshmukh@timesgroup.com THE PROBLEM 26 per cent of the state’s population comprises landless and bonded labourers who are illiterate. Most of them encroach on arable land. Many are arrested and their cases go on for up to 25 years. WHAT MHASKE ACHIEVED 4 acres per family, which will benefit around 18 lakh people. The Swabhiman Yojana offers 2 acres free and 2 acres of land via interest-free loans of 10 years. PERFECT LAND-ING: Dileep Mhaske
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