NASHIK: Over the years, working closely with tribal communities across Nashik, Dhule and Nandurbar has been a journey of learning, unlearning and understanding realities that often remain unseen. My book Aadivasi Laygatha, published by Shabdalay Prakashan, is an attempt to bring together these lived experiences and observations from the ground.
The book draws from years of involvement in grassroots work, where everyday challenges like access to water, gaps in education and basic health concerns are part of daily life. These are not distant issues, but realities faced by communities that continue to live with limited resources and support. Through my work with the Social Networking Forum, an initiative I founded, I have tried to engage with these concerns at a community level.
Aadivasi Laygatha is not written from a single point of view. Instead, it reflects multiple voices and experiences gathered over time. It includes stories of local efforts, small changes, and the resilience of communities that continue to rely on their traditional knowledge and practices. In many ways, these practices are deeply connected to their identity and way of life.
While writing this book, one important aspect that stayed with me was the nature of engagement required in such regions. Social work is not only about introducing change, but also about understanding the existing social and cultural systems. There has to be a balance between development and respect for local traditions. Without this balance, interventions often fail to create long-term impact.
The book also raises broader questions about how development is approached in remote and tribal areas. It reflects on whether solutions are always designed with the community in mind, and how important it is to involve people in decisions that affect their lives.
I have been involved in social work for over 15 years now, and this journey has shaped my perspective in many ways. The experiences shared in this book are not just accounts of work done, but reflections on relationships built, trust earned and lessons learned along the way.
Aadivasi Laygatha is, at its core, a collection of real stories from the field. It is an effort to present the rhythm of life in these regions as it is simple, complex, and deeply rooted in community.
The article is authored by Pramod Gaikwad
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