Sunday, March 31, 2002		Books

Biography of a people, story of a state
P.P.S. Gill

Unity for Identity: Struggle for Uttarakhand State
by Indu Tewari. Published by K.B. Publishers and Distributors. Pages 156. Rs 250

UTTARAKHAND, once backwaters of Uttar Pradesh, is now the state of Uttranchal. Uttarakhand was conceived, nurtured and delivered by the people, who remain its legitimate parents, though others claiming to have sired it include politicians and political parties.

The story of what Uttarakhand region was prior to its new status is now available in the form of its biography. The vicissitudes of its topographical, social, economic, ethnic, political and cultural life, the spontaneity and voluntary participation of its people, the troubles and tribulations they underwent and how what started as an anti-Mandal stir by students in 1994; acquired the form of a peoples’ tornado (involving students as well as women) and its present status are all covered in the book under review.

It is a "biography" of a people; the story of a state that confirms that seeking a self-governed region within the country is a sentiment that strengthens the concept of ‘regionalism, nationalism and patriotism’. The common refrain of the echo of peoples’ struggle and sacrifice is amply brought out in: "Jai Uttarakhand, Jai Akhand Bharat". The bottom line is "regionalism is not for secession".

Uttarakhand is "a region with an area of about 41,000 sq km, a population of six million, along with a distinct geographical location, history, culture and social anthropology and an area which has seen great neglect because of its being a part of a big state and wrong policies emerges as a viable unit as a state".

The book vividly shows details of a region embedded in the Himalayan range and how successive governments’ policies and system aberrations had led to its neglect and backwardness, making survival itself a nightmare, forcing youth to migrate in search of menial and clerical jobs for sustenance.

Uttarakhand has distinct zones: the foothills, including Terai, Bhhabar and the Shivalks; the lesser Himalayas; the great Himalayas; and the Trans-Himalayan zone; and five river systems—the Yamuna, the Ganges, Nayar, West Ganga and the Kalli that marks the boundary with Nepal. The inspiration for a book came at a women’s conference at Panjab University, where the author is a Reader in History. She had come across women delegates from Uttarakhand, for whom communication was a stumbling block and language a barrier. They had a lot to say but could not. The Indian Council of Historical Research provided a ‘travel-cum-research grant’.

The author meticulously packs in a lot of information, facts and statistics. Though based on research, the narrative is neither pure academic nor follows the beaten text-book path. It is a story-book replete with references, an anthology of folk songs and poetry penned by the people in the course of their movement.

The book recapitulates the "excesses" committed by successive governments to suppress the movement and the resistance put up by the people, who ensured their struggle remained peaceful and non-violent. It gives a chronology of the events and developments beginning 1926 and weaves in peoples’ sighs, smiles, sacrifices and sufferings showing how they did not give up, despite their poor economy. They selflessly and sincerely pursued their objective without a desire for any individual rewards. Whatever any political party may say and claim, the book contends that political parties often acted as spoilsports, changing their tacks and stance or doing a volte face on the demand for creation of Uttarakhand. They did not flow with the people’ sentiments and aspirations.

The book also mentions the role of the Akalis and their ranting following submission of a report on the inclusion of Udhamsingh Nagar into Uttarakhand by George Fernandes in the Parliament.

The book was still in the press when the Bill was passed by the Parliament and Uttarakhand became a reality. The Conclusion updates this development but this was left out from the "sequence of important events". The book is an unfinished portrait of a state. But all credit to the people, who have shown where from democracy draws its power.