Manu's plans for his village

Simdega district in south Jharkhand is of strategic significance. To its west lies the Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh, and to its south lies Odisha's Rourkela district. To its north and east are situated Jharkhand's Gumla and Khunti districts respectively. This region comprising all these districts is one of the most backward places of the country. As a consequence, there are minimal job opportunities for the people. In the past few years, owing to a rise in school enrollments, there is a rise in population of youth who are educated and hence want a better job to justify their qualification.  

In this background, Pratham Institute's Vocational Training Center at Thethaitangar is immensely significant. This centre imparts training in the Electrical vertical and is attracting youth from not only Simdega but the districts mentioned above as well. 18-years-old Manu Kumar Singh is one of the many youths of this region who has enrolled himself at this centre. He hails from Kalhatoli village which lies in Simdega's Kolebira's block. 

"My maternal uncle got trained here, and he now works as an Electrician. He is my inspiration", Manu begins as he shares with us what brought him here. We learn that Manu's family occupation is farming and they grow rice. While Manu studied till 12th grade, he soon began to realise that the income from agriculture was not enough to feed a family of five members. He understood that the time had come to search for a job and add income to the family. But where was the opportunity? Manu sensed a chance when he saw his maternal uncle working in the village. 

"I am one of the youngest students in this batch. Yet, I have adjusted very well. I like the schedule and the work culture over here", he says. "Back in my village, we used to work only during rice cultivation. The rest of the days were spent doing nothing", he further recalls. Did he feel shy on his first day here? Did he take a few weeks to open up and start talking to everyone else? His answer to these questions was a firm No. "I wanted to work, and hence I was keen to learn things and get a job", he says. "In fact, I have many friends here. Some of them are from villages near to mine, whereas some are from Gumla district. Some of them are also from Chhattisgarh and Odisha", he further adds. Manu further adds that he likes the schedule here, and it has made him organised, and he also has understood the importance of planning the work. 

Manu is happy that he could learn practical stuff and hence he is now ready to work as an electrician. "I also like the theory session. But practicals is more fun. I like the way of teaching here. The teachers are very polite, and they make us understand everything that is required", he says. We then ask Manu what his plans for the future are. 

"I want to work for my village. There are no electricians, and I can contribute to solving the problem. But before that, I want to work in Mumbai once", he says with a smile. And when we ask him why Mumbai, he replies with a shy smile, "I am fond of watching Hindi movies. Shahrukh Khan and Kajol are my favourite film artists. Many films talk of Mumbai."  

Manu also wants to buy a mobile phone, and that will top his agenda after getting the first salary. However, as resolved, he will also give a part of his salary income home and ensure that his parents now work less and take rest.