Along with the development in 2022, Thar witnessed 179 suicide attempts, primarily within the Hindu community, with only 33 officially registered cases
Zaheer Udin Babar Junejo
Beyond the borders of Thar, few are acquainted with the afflictions, anguish, and societal transformations that are shaping this land. Yet, the people of Thar, with their roots deeply entrenched in its arid sands, intimately understand the tapestry of suffering and resilience that defines their existence. My own connection to this earthly paradise, forged by the legacy of my forebears, has instilled an unbreakable affection within me. Thar’s narrative is a tale of a few families basking in glory while others grapple with unemployment, hunger, thirst, discrimination, despair, and the grip of helplessness.
In Thar, the tradition of unity prevails, transcending language, religion, and caste, binding people through shared wells and grazing lands. These sacred spaces were once where the elders communed, their lives interwoven. Memories abound from cooking wild grasses, and trunks, beneath the harsh sun during droughts to the prohibition of wheat trade from neighboring districts. Thirst and hunger have plagued this withering desert, yet the love for this land among its inhabitants remained steadfast even as the first asphalt road was laid. This road, a bridge to the rest of the nation, paradoxically magnified their sense of poverty, vulnerability, and neglect.
As opportunities arose with the expansion of education and employment, even the marginalized castes prioritized learning, striving for sustenance as daily wage laborers. The desert’s inherent resilience buoyed the weak, offering shelter and pasture when all else faltered. Rainfall, a double-edged blessing for four among forty seasons, nourished select parts, yielding crops for sustenance and sowing.
In the midst of a hand-to-mouth existence, Thar’s homes always welcomed guests. Then came a phase when the government intervened, offering temporary charity to transform circumstances. This marked a paradigm shift, as locals increasingly relied on aid, portraying hardship instead of self-sufficiency. Political affiliations remained caste-centric, dissociated from broader party agendas. Media and literate locals conveyed Thar’s plight to the world. While many poets continue to immortalize their struggles, some became constrained by the mainstream.
Today, in the twenty-first century, merely four percent of Thar’s populace enjoys electricity, while 93% remains parched for fresh water
National exposure yielded benefits; local representatives gained prominence, roads shortened distances, and freshwater elevated land values. Yet, these improvements also attracted non-local settlers, and opportunism, both local and foreign, stirred disputes over resource allocation. Along with the development in 2022, the region witnessed 179 suicide attempts, predominantly among the 21-40 age group and primarily within the Hindu community, with only 33 officially registered cases. Today, in the twenty-first century, merely four percent of Thar’s populace enjoys electricity, while 93% remains parched for fresh water. Health services falter, malnutrition plagues women and children, and ancestral lands are liquidated for a pittance. While the dream of metamorphosing the nation ignites hope and fuels aspirations, it coexists with the grim realities of rising youth frustration, suicidal tendencies, child mortality, and the absence of essential survival amenities. Thar finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with circumstances that threaten its identity, harmony, and humanity.
Health services falter, malnutrition plagues women and children, and ancestral lands are liquidated for a pittance
Now is an opportune moment to reflect on the fading values, as global connectivity is reshaping its own definitions of right and wrong. Let’s empower the younger generation to comprehend customs, uphold genuine values, and establish a framework for maintaining peace for everyone.
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Zaheer Udin Babar Junejo, based in Hyderabad, is a specialist in Institutional Development, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), and Fundraising.
