JOURNALISM OF COURAGE

Home Cities India Explained Opinion Entertainment Sports Politics Lifestyle Tech Education

Mini Crosswords Latest News UPSC Special Asia Cup Premium Stories Express et al. Health Spe

News / Cities / Pune / Film, dialogue win over wary tribals in Naxal heartland, lead to successful vaccination dr

Premium

Film, dialogue win over wary tribals in

Naxal heartland, lead to successful
vaccination drive
Sections ePaper Premium Share

Written by Vivek Deshpande

Updated: July 6, 2021 09:37 IST

Follow Us

Mallampodur, a remote village at least 200 km from the district headquarters in Gadchiroli, has not
witnessed an event like a Covid vaccination camp as far as the villagers can remember. (Express Photo)

A month-and-a-half ago, such a scene would have been a far cry in this
Naxal-dominated hilly terrain.
 ADVERTISEMENT

A vehicle rolls in near a huge mattress spread in front of the village

choupal. A white screen is hung on the vehicle and an audio system
starts blaring music in the Madia language. Soon, people start trickling
in even as government staffers set up a table and chairs and the
vaccination staff gets ready. Within three hours, more than 100 people
receive their jabs.

Mallampodur, a remote village at least 200 km from the district

headquarters in Gadchiroli, has not witnessed an event like a Covid
vaccination camp as far as the villagers can remember. The residents
have mostly participated in police-sponsored jan jagran melawas
(awareness rallies) against Naxal influence.

ADVERTISEMENT
So when a team of government officials arrived here on an overcast
Saturday morning in the last week of June, there was no palpable
tension.

A month-and-a-half ago, such a scene would have been a far cry in this
Naxal-dominated hilly terrain. Nestled several kilometres apart from
each other in the thickly wooded interiors of the Abujmad hills, the
Madia-Gond tribals, mostly from the Chhota Madia section of the tribe,
mistrusted officials and often shunned and sent them away.

ADVERTISEMENT

The tide has now fully turned thanks to the perseverance and novel
approach of officials led by Bhamragad and Etapalli (neighbouring
tahsil) project officer of Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP),
Manuj Jindal.

“What you can see here today is a result of dogged pursuit by my team
of naib tahsildar Anmol Kamble and the talathis, kotwals and gram
sevaks of 125 villages of the tahsil,” says Jindal, who personally
attended many of these camps, including the one at Mallampodur.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jindal transferred recently to Jalna on promotion as the chief

executive officer of Jalna zilla parishad.

ADVERTISEMENT

Says Kamble, “When we started the campaign at the end of April, we

faced hostile villagers in Kospundi and Kudkeli, who sent us away and
said they didn’t need the vaccine. There were a lot of misconceptions,
such as vaccines causing death, ordinary people and officials receiving
different vaccines, it’s part of kidney racket etc. Often, they would ask
why they were being vaccinated when there was no Covid in their
village. We had a difficult time convincing them. We would trek for
more than 20 km to villages like Binagunda, Kuwakodi and Fodewada
up on the Abujmad hills only to be ignored.”

The administration then thought of a different strategy. A film in

Madia language was made, scripted by Chichoda village Talathi Sachin
Kannake and directed by Yechli village Talathi Rayalu Talandi.

It featured messages by local zilla parishad and panchayat samiti

members, community leaders and social activist Prakash Amte, whose
Lok Biradari Prakalp at Hemalkasa village is providing several basic
services like health and education to local tribals for the past 50 years.

ADVERTISEMENT

Neelkanth Homes: Explore Now

Neelkanth Realty

Teams comprising heads of various other government departments

were constituted at village and tahsil levels to conduct a dialogue with
local villagers. Since many of them are in regular touch with villagers,
their words held a lot of credibility.
The methods had the desired impact. Bhamragad’s vaccination drive
has now well and truly taken off with greater success than many
places across the country.

Of the 35,000 population of the tahsil, 7,239 people are above 45 years
of age, according to Kamble. “Of them, we have given the first dose to
3,757,” he says. This is more than 50 per cent of the above-45 years
population.

“The 18 to 45 category vaccination began 10 days ago. So far, 141

people in this category have been vaccinated,” Kamble says, adding,
“Overall, 1,191 people have received both doses.”

At Mallampodur, 335 of the 638 residents have been vaccinated.

What makes the Mallampodur success significant is that no Covid

cases have been reported here till now. “We haven’t had a single Covid
patient yet,” says Gajanan Bhandekar, a resident of Mallampodur who
is in the 45-plus category.

ADVERTISEMENT

Asked how he realised the seriousness of the disease despite being so

far away from its impact, he says, “The government has explained it to
us. Now, we have no doubts about the campaign.”

MOST READ

1 Deepika Padukone says she did Jawan only for Shah Rukh Khan, King
Khan says ‘we fooled Deepika’

2 ‘Selling a false dream’: Indian students abroad open up about mental

health issues

3 Here are 4 morning habits of the longest living people in the world

4 Jawan editor Ruben says Shah Rukh Khan asked him to chop his scenes
to accommodate scenes of Vijay Sethupathi and girls: ‘He was generous
to say…’

5 ‘We are grateful to India for the gift’, says Pakistan head coach after
loss to Team India

See Less

Says 25-year old Manjusha Dhurve, an Arts graduate, “My mother took
the jab previously. I have taken it today. I am convinced about its
utility and I’m sure it helps in preventing death due to Covid.”

ADVERTISEMENT
There are many other villages like Mallampodur that have no Covid
cases but have realised the seriousness of the disease and cooperated
with the vaccination drive.

ALSO READ

‘At least 20% will Ajit skips Pune Selva Nadar, Only 4 women
vote for us’: sugar institute meet mastermind of among 144 alumni
Maharashtra BJP to chaired by Sharad Pune’s Rs 300-crore feted by COEP in 30
send Muslim leaders Pawar; second ‘no ... loan investment yrs
t... scam, rema...

Jindal also attributes the success to police making inroads in the Naxal
heartlands. “In 2009, 17 policemen were killed in a Maoist ambush at
the nearby Lahiri village. The police has since come a long way and
managed to hold sway over places that were out of its control till a few
years ago. That has helped the vaccination drive, too, like several other
government initiatives.”

© The Indian Express (P) Ltd

First published on: 05-07-2021 at 22:15 IST

 TAGS: COVID-19 Naxal

Diabetes Is Not From Sweets! Meet The Main Enemy Of

Diabetes
Sheopals Diabetes Care | Sponsored Read More

Why Are Indians Rushing To Get This Rudraksha Bracelet

Rudraksha beads are popularly known to grant the wearer several benefits
Japam | Sponsored Learn More

Doctors Amazed: Foot Neuropathy Device Takes India By

Storm
Combat neuropathy pain with this scientific device, designed to provide relief.
Neuropathy | Sponsored Read More

27+ Of The Most Inappropriate Dresses Worn To Red

Carpet Events [Images]
investing.com | Sponsored

People thought hearing aids were expensive till they saw

this. Read more
hear.com | Sponsored

.
 .

Col Manpreet’s last words to wife echo in the grieving home:

‘abhi op mein jaa raha hoon’
The two children of the Army officer killed in Kashmir on Wednesday are still unaware
about their father’s death.
IndianExpress

Doctors Are Speechless! Diabetes is Easy to Treat (Read

Here)
natural and ayurvedic to manage sugar level to 4
Sheopals Diabetes Care | Sponsored Click Here

People In Maharashtra Say Goodbye To Mosquitoes With

This Revolutionary Solution
Create a safer space for your family with this innovative, easy-to-use machine.
Buzz Pest Off | Sponsored Read More

‘Phoolan Devi’s flesh had been gouged out’: Govind Namdev

recalls harrowing story narrated by Bandit Queen costume…
Govind Namdev recalled how the costume designer of Bandit Queen was left shaken
after listening to horrific details of Phoolan Devi's life.
IndianExpress

Mumbai: The price (& size) of these hearing aids might

surprise you
hear.com | Sponsored
Experience Disneyland Paris with SOTC
SOTC | Sponsored

Start Planning Your Future Now with SBI Life's ULIP Plan
SBI Life Insurance | Sponsored

Nana Patekar questions Naseeruddin Shah’s comments on The

Kashmir Files, defends Gadar 2: ‘What nationalism means to…
Actor Nana Patekar has reacted to Naseeruddin Shah's latest comment on films like The
Kashmir Files, Gadar 2 and The Kerala Story being harmful.
IndianExpress
Will Pakistan's Former Prime Minister Imran Khan Take
Pakistan Down With Him? | Insight
CNA Insight | Sponsored

After Joshimath's Collapse, What Will Happen To The

People Of India's Mountain Towns? | Insight
CNA Insight | Sponsored

Zero Brokerage for Life @999

mStock by Mirae Asset | Sponsored
Direct Shopping From Adidas Franchises Store With 75%
Discount
Cash On Delivery Free, Easy Retun & Exchange Policy, +10lakh Happy
Costumers
The Online Adidas Franchises Store | Sponsored Shop Now

Zeenat Aman says she ‘burst into a flood of tears’ before shooting
Satyam Shivam Sundaram song: ‘Raj Kapoor said…’
Zeenat Aman took to Instagram to share a sweet anecdote about how Raj Kapoor
supported her during Satyam Shivam Sundaram shoot.
IndianExpress

Original Adidas Three Combo Track Pants With 75%

Discount
Direct Shopping From Adidas Franchises Store, COD Free, Return Policy
Available
The Online Store India Pvt. Ltd. | Sponsored Shop Now

Reduce Belly Fat Within Few Days

Cash On Delivery and Free Shipping Available
Spike Tummy Trimmer | Sponsored Shop Now
TOP CATEGORIES

Explained News Political Pulse

 Explained News Political Pulse

Latest Opinion Mumbai News

Delhi News Pune News

Bangalore News Bollywood News

Health News India News

Sports News Lifestyle News

Jobs Mobile & Tabs

Tech Reviews Gadgets

Mobile & Tabs Food & Wine

Elections 2023 Fitness

TRENDING NEWS

Latest News Income Tax Slab

Health And Wellness Cricket News

Education News Entertainment News

Subscribe To The Indian Express Buy Digital Premium

Trending News Why Subscribe To The Indian Express

Express Et Al Buy All-Access Plan

Stock Market Quotes Cricket World Cup

Jawan Box O`ce Collection

LATEST STORIES

Express View On Alien Fossils: Life As You Don’t Kejriwal Says Punjab Can Break Monopoly Of
 Express View On Alien Fossils: Life As You Don’t Kejriwal Says Punjab Can Break Monopoly Of
Know It China In Industrial Sector, Mann Concurs

The Maratha Quota Demand Neeraj Chopra At Diamond League Final Live
Streaming: When And Where To Watch Javelin
Throw Event

September 16, 1983, Forty Years Ago: PM Gandhi After 10 Years, HC Closes Suo Motu Proceedings
On Pak In Punjab Drug Menace

ASP Among 3 Cops Shunted Out; Hapur Bar Ashok Leyland To Set Up Electric Bus
Association Says Will Continue Stir Manufacturing Unit In State: Govt

Eight Countries Witness Devastating Floods In Express View On Google Antitrust Case: The New
Sept: Is Climate Change Causing Deluge Across Front
The World?

With An Increase In Taxpayer Base, Closing The HC Imposes Rs 50 Lakh Penalty On Govt For
Tax Gap Failing To Transfer Graft Probe To CBI

AU Warns Of Action Over Collection Of Money By Raids Against Azam, Aides: I-T Suspects Rs 800
‘Hoax’ Alumni Association Cr Tax Evasion’

BJP Workers Assaulted Trader For Refusing To O`cial: Bengal Hopeful Of Tie-Ups With Middle-
Pay For Party Meet: TMC East Nations For Meat Exports

FOLLOW US

DOWNLOAD APPS

The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global
service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.

EXPRESS GROUP

The Indian Express ieTamil.com

The Financial Express ieBangla.com

Loksatta ieMalayalam.com

Jansatta ieGujarati.com

inUth The ExpressGroup

MyInsuranceClub Newsletters

26/11 Stories of Strength Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards

Online Classes for Kids Light House Journalism

Compare Term Insurance

QUICK LINKS

T&C Privacy Policy

Advertise with Us Brand Solutions

Contact Us Subscribe

Statutory provisions on reporting (sexual offenses) This website follows the DNPA’s code of conduct

CSR

Copyright © 2023 The Indian Express [P] Ltd. All Rights Reserved