Pahuris Of Satpuras

Womens with colourful skirts and huge oxidised jewellery, tattooed on their chin, forehead, and arms. These are the women of Pahuri tribes originally from Madhya Pradesh but in the course of time, they along with their Men and Children shifted to Maharashtra in search of food for their cattle and employment. They crossed the Satpuras along with their cattle and started working in the fields. The farmers provided them with fair daily wages and shelter in their outhouses. There was plenty of water here and the climate was also good. 

              

Among them was a stout, short woman with carefree nature named Kunti. She spoke in a funny way and let others make fun of her. She rejoiced in her own fun. But when it came to her children she made sure that they went to school regularly. While other children of their age were working in fields, her children studied hard. Her older son Dinu after passing his 8th standard went to the school and hostel for Adivasi boys. After passing his 10th standard he appeared for Police exams. He was tall with a broad chest and physically fit. He got selected for Police and got the job in the scheduled tribe category. Meanwhile, his stepbrother Mangu died of typhoid. Rather than seeking medical help due to lack of knowledge, these people preferred superstitious practices when anyone was ill. This loss moved him emotionally. Then after working for 2 years and saving some money he called his siblings one by one and placed them at decent jobs. One of his brother got the scholarship and he became an Engineer. While being at such jobs may seem normal to some people but it was a kind of achievement for Kunti's family. Deenu called his Parents to the city as well. They were living a contented life with an improved and hygienic lifestyle. Kunti raised the daughters of Mangu as well. She never differentiated between her own grandchildren and his steps ones. She educated these two girls, allowed them to take a job and then married them. After many years when Dinu retired he worked for the upliftment of Pahuris in Madhya Pradesh as well as Maharashtra. He tried to remove superstition among them and encouraged the young lads to study. In this way, a whole community got revived.