Punjab’s Kaluwada village on Indo-Pak border sandwiched between Pakistan and Satluj River
Even after 68 years of independence, we are live life worse than ‘slaves’ and hell’ : Mal Singh
Punjab’s Kaluwada village on Indo-Pak border sandwiched between Pakistan and Satluj River
Kaluwada is cut-off for 3-4 months from worldly affairs during rain season
Ferozepur, April 3, 2016: Even after 68 years of independence of India, the only way to reach the Kaluwada village – sandwiched between Pakistan and Satluj River, in a prosperous state like Punjab – is the ‘big boat’ (Beda) or the temporary bridge constructed by the army, which too is closed during the rainy days and is cut off from the worldly affairs for three-four months.
Everyone is aware of Andeman and Nikobar islands but in a developing state like Punjab, the people are hardly aware of the Kaluwada village. The resident of this village also call it as Kala Pani of Punjab. While this village is covered with Satluj river from three sides and one side from the Pakistan boundary, the residents are facing number of problems and are deprived of the basic facilities like education, health, transport, roads etc. which looks to be dream for them.
There are around 50 houses with population of only 340 who belongs to schedule caste. Most of the families are economical weak and the main source of income is daily labour work. During the rains, the temporary bridge by the army which is considered one of the biggest facility, is also closed and the only transport available is the boat. Even the produce of the farmer is also taken on the boat for marketing.
There is one Primary School of the name in a single room 12’x10’ with 25 students upto 5th class with one Education Volunteer Balwinder Singh and for the next higher classes, the students move to the Gatti Rajo Ke through boat which is the cluster school of 8 villages. There are two private schools also at a distance of 6 KMs from Kaluwada. During the rainy season, the water even enters the house of the residents and they have no alternative except to wait for the drainage of water by sitting on the roofs of their houses. However, when water level is raised, the students remain at home for two-three months. Majority of the residents are illiterate. They do talk about the education to their children but because of lack of facilities are the main obstacles.
So far as health facilities are concerned, hardly they have reached this place and they are dependent on the quacks. In the event of any emergency, when the boatman goes back to home after the sun-set, the residents are at the mercy of Almighty.
The agriculture land of 400-500 acres and the ‘big boat’ is the only hope for them to bring any agriculture in-puts from the city and taking their produce to the grain market for sale.
Mal Singh, Nambardar, 90 years old when met the visiting team – said, none of the government of any political party has come forward for arranging the basic amenities for the residents of Kaluwada village. With a choked voice, he said, even after 68 years of independence of India, we are left with no alternative except to live life worse than ‘slaves’ and hell’.
