CHHATTISGARH: MEGHA

Haribhoomi (28.8.06)

I am grateful to the People of Megha, a village in the Kurud Vidhan Sabha, for the love and affection they showered on me when I visited them this Sunday (27.8.06).

I had always wanted to visit this village on the banks of the Mahanadi, not merely because it is an important part of my father's constituency, but because of its pivotal contribution to our nation's Struggle for Freedom: Narayan Rao Meghawalé, Thanuram Bansaur, and of course Pandit Sunderlal Sharma- all came from here. In fact, Mr. Pradeep Choubey- one of the very few Lohiaites we have in the Congress here- tells me that the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, himself once remarked that "I have learnt more about social equality from Pt. Sundarlal Sharma than from anybody else."

Under the present state regime, Congresspersons of Kurud are being systematically terrorized by their local MLA, who is also a minister. During this brief visit, numerous specific instances were brought to my notice. However, they have shown exemplary courage in facing the Terreur, thanks to their proud legacy of resisting oppression in whatever form it may exist.

Indeed, what better place than Megha to seek inspiration?

AJ