Earlier I thought, people would go Namal only for poverty.But gradually it is assumed that there is a joy in going.Maybe it has lowered our respect and otherwise we have been humiliated by others.Yet it is true that we are fortunate, especially since we have been able to take our language so far.I am not writing this story to discuss it.The story is one day’s, the story about the journey to Namal.
I was wandering in search of job one corner to another corner of country like other umemployee.Quickly I went to the bus stand and saw that the first bus had left, but knowing that the second bus has not left, I am sitting waiting for it with a long breath.Crowd like sheep and goats in the bus.But I have to go.It is a matter of job examination. Maybe I will get a job.
Thousands of people from Bankura, Sadar Midnapure and Purulia are going in search of work in Namal Dishom.Namal means Namal.Country of low land.Country of farming and Kachhar means hilly area of Assam.Tea garden working area.Namal- Kachhad means to fill the stomach by working.I am also going with them to find a job.In the same Namal they are going to ploughing, planting paddy fodder and I am wielding a pen.I am a little educated and they don’t know.That’s the only difference.But there is more shine on their face than mine. Why is it shining, it is known by listening to a song.A bus is going towards Bankura from Barha Bazaar side.Its roof is full of men and women inside.The song is from the roof-
E Ful,Dela Ful
Rail Gadi Dejog Ful
Dumka Zila Nel
Rail Gadi Banj Dejog
Dumka Zila Banj Nel
Dumka Zila Hor Dore Hale-Dale
(English Version)
Hey friend, come on friend
Let’s go to board the train,
To view the Dumka District.
I will not board on the train
I will not view the Dumka district
The people of Dumka district are in piteousness.
Song from the inside
Dese Re Sisu Chora
Namale Jabi To
Railgadi Vara Taka
Amire Debo.
(English Version)
Hey Youngman
If you go Namal
Then I will give you
The fare of Train.
The song of the roof was not liked much. Because the bus was not going to Dumka.This is a song of the time of Santal Hul.At that time the people of Dumka district were in turmoil, then are the people of the place where they going are in great happiness? The answer will be known properly only from the people who are going to Namal for the whole year.But the song of inside touched my mind,It felt like calling me every moment.If I could get the train fare….. Oh! No I am going to look for a job.They are also going to find work, I am also going to find work.They will get work but I don’t know.If I don’t get the job, then I have to make friendship with them.
Examination for a job in a company. One hundred and fifty boys will be taken.It is heard that fifteen thousand people have applied.It is also being heard from someone’s mouth that up to ten thousand rupees are needed for the job.Damnit! I am expecting the fare of the train.Ten thousand rupees on that.People die in hope,people live in hope.why would you stop hoping.Brahmin people say – “You people have reservation, you will get job.Even if there are two thousand tribals in fifteen thousand, you will get it.It cann’t be said even after answering all the questions.
There I met Rajen of Burudi of Dhar Dishom.Rajen was my friend of the time of studying in school, was not, the friendship is still now.It was known from his words that the owner of the company was also a wealthy farmer of Namal.Nowadays, due to a lot of hassle and expense in farming, a factory has been made by selling the land.He is a resident of Khanden of Barddhaman.He heard from his father, who went there for namal.There was a lot of conversation between two friends.I am not mentioning in detail here.
Time has changed a lot.The rule of kings and maharajas ended in the country.The number of schools and colleges has increased, so we have been able to learn even a little bit.Roads have been built, due to which we have been able to reach Namal in a very short time.The factory has been established, in which a lot of goods are being prepared now.But till now one thing has not changed.That is the relation between the rich and the poor.Those who were rich earlier are still making people work and our people are working.Earlier our ancestors worked with Diku farmers, and now the work of a laborer under the factory owner even after educated.The people who rule have remained the same, only the way of governing has changed.
@Translated from Santali by Subhajit Murmu
About the author:
Rupchand Hansda, is a distinguished Santali writer,poet and a good organizer.He is the recipient of Sahitya Akademi award in 2020 for his anthology of modern Santali poetry entitled, ‘Gur Dak Kasa Dak’ in 2020.Before, earlier this significant prestigious award he has also received Sahitya Akademi’s translation award.He has about eight publish books to his credit.He was an editor of literary magazine, entitled, ‘Mantar’ and he is also one of the compilers of Bi-lingual dictionary i.e. Bangla-Santali dictionary, which is published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
About the translator:
Subhajit Murmu hails from Hooghly district of West Bengal.He is a budding Santali young writer and an English translator.He is the assitant editor of a Santali literary magazine, entitled, ‘Juwan Gatey’ which is being published from Steel City Jamshedpur.His article and translation works are regularly published in Youth Ki Awaz, Holong Gada,Torjoma,Lahanti Patrika etc.