Siyana villagers sculpt a success story, now governor comes calling

SIROHI: Barely five kilometres from Gujarat border, residents of Siyana village in Sirohi district aren't envious of the amplified development model in the neighbouring state. Nearly 28km from Mount Abu on Ambaji Road, the villagers here are "self sufficient" and nurse no grudges against the "system". Rather, they have their own role model-Tipu Devi -- the world famous terracotta sculptor, who has carved a niche for herself, thanks to her skill in the art.
At around 9 am, Siyana villagers gather at the health sub-centre, adjacent to Tipu's residence, where she runs a terracotta cluster with financial help from the state and the central government. They are waiting for governor Margaret Alva, who has been staying at Raj Bhawan, Mount Abu, the summer home for the state governor. Alva is coming here early as she has to see MNREGA work, which ends by 10 am during summer.
Villagers at Siyana are upbeat. They are curious to share their success story with the visiting VIP. "We have shown to the world that hard work can do wonders," says Tipu, who is preparing to visit Singapore to showcase her talent in a major festival there. Tipu is running the terracotta cluster for the past 14 years and has employed more than 65 women and men. They share the profits proportionately. The NGO headed by her "Arpan Seva Sansthan" has already bagged several awards.
Siyana village sarpanch Dolaram says that the villagers are awakened and know about their rights, which ensures that welfare schemes are run properly. "More than 70% of the area is literate and every single child goes to school," he says. With population of 4,500, the village has two schools, a health sub-centre and has more than 20 hours of power supply.
Alva reached here almost three hours behind schedule. She started late and went to MGNREGA site at Derna village near Abu Road before coming to Siyana, where villagers patiently waited. There was a death in the village and the mourning procession ended few minutes before her arrival. However, villagers remained composed and shared with governor the secret of their happiness. "Often people come with a list of grievances and I was prepared to face a similar situation here too. However, it was a delight to be here and a relief too," Alva told TOI. She assured to recommend Tipu's name for some prestigious award.
At MGNREGA site at Derna village, Alva faced a few uncomfortable questions. More than 60 women working at the site wanted a bank in some nearby area as they have to go almost 7 km to get payment. Alva had a few pertinent questions for the women: "How you start working so early? How do you manage breakfast etc?. "We carry chapatti, mirchi and onions," was the common reply. However, most of the workers spoke in unison. "We send our kids to school."
Having been an active politician, Alva has been going to places mainly in the tribal districts of Rajasthan to take a look at the welfare schemes also for the fact that the fifth schedule of the Constitution gives special powers to governors to monitor tribal welfare policies. Recently, Alva inaugurated a new building for the Tribal Welfare Cell (TWC) at Raj Bhawan in Jaipur on May 13. The TWC assists the governor in discharge of gubernatorial functions regarding the Scheduled areas.
Fact-file:
# The Constitution- vide Article 244 -- has vested the governor with powers regarding administration of Scheduled Areas.
# TWC is engaged in the monitoring of government policies and schemes for benefit of the tribals of the Scheduled Areas.
# TWC also monitors the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) budget to ensure that intended benefits reach the targeted beneficiaries.
# The revised TSP Budget for 2012-13 is Rs 4386.45 crore
Welfare schemes:
# Restoration of the rights of the tribals for commercial fishing in Mahibajaj and Kadana and in Jai Samand Dams on 'Zero Revenue Model' and 'Livelihood Model' prepared by the fisheries department.
# Attempts to tie-up with various Universities/NGOs/Agencies for preparing Skill Development Programmes for generation of employment for local tribals, especially the youth.
# Filling of vacancies of teachers in the Scheduled Areas through a special recruitment drive to recruit eligible people from the local areas. Recently, the government too has recruited 45,000 teachers.
# Proposal under consideration for a 25% special incentive for attracting and retaining teaching and medical staff in the Scheduled Areas. The proposal also includes construction of residential accommodation for them under MGNREGA in tribal areas.
# More Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) along the operational pattern of Jawahar Navodaya Vidhyalaya to be opened in each district of the Scheduled Areas - equal number for boys and girls.
# Directions issued for ensuring full security of the hostel inmates, particularly for the girls. All girls' hostels must have female wardens and night duty watchman, besides construction of proper boundary wall/fencing and adequate lighting in the night.
# Issuance of domicile certificates to residents of Scheduled Areas with the objective of protecting their land, employment and other rights. The year 1950 to be the base-line to cover families/children of those residing continuously in the Scheduled Areas since then.
# Declaration of Rs 200 crore package exclusively for various welfare schemes for the Scheduled Areas in the CM's announcement for the financial year 2013-14.
# Free distribution of bicycles to students of Class VI to XII from the Governor's Discretionary Fund at Ashram Hostel at Dal, Salumber in Udaipur. The state government has declared free distribution of bicycles to girl students of all the hostels of the Scheduled Areas.