SABARKANTHA: On a sunny afternoon, Ajitesh is busy working in the agricultural fields along with his family members. The 33-year-old was never keen on agriculture, but had no other option. It has become a family tradition to take up farming. But Ajitesh’s father ensured that he got a good education. He completed his B.Com and had hopes of getting a decent job.
Over the last few years, this resident of Kesharpura village made several attempts to get a job. “I tried everywhere possible,” he says. Unable to get a job, a dejected Ajitesh is back to what his family has been doing for decades — farming.
“Lack of jobs has ruined my life and I am stuck with farming on this tiny piece of land, something I had never imagined I would do,’’ he says.
He says there are thousands like him all across Sabarkantha district — many have no choice but to get into farming despite being well educated. “I haven’t seen what you call ‘vikas’ or the Gujarat model of development,’’ he says angrily.
A drive across Sabarkantha district in north Gujarat — which is mostly a dry belt — is full of disturbing stories of unemployment and hopelessness among the youth and womenfolk. The district, mostly inhabited by communities like Ahirs, Thakores, Rabaris and Harijans, has a population of around 12 lakh. Here, one can find people who are well educated compared to people in other parts of Gujarat.
At her home, 32-year-old Rajshree, who has an MA degree, is helping her elder brother milk cows and buffaloes. “Education has served no purpose. Look, what she is doing now after completing her MA,” her brother, Ranjesh, a resident of Bavsar village, says.
“Had I been in any other place, I would have got a job for myself, but here there is no scope. I tried in government and private sectors but failed. Some of my friends have moved out of Sabarkantha and they got jobs easily,” Rajshree says, holding back tears.
Her parents wanted her to get married soon after completing her studies, but she resisted. “Now that I have failed to get a job, my marriage has been fixed. All my dreams of being independent have crashed,’’ she says.
Many in the village say there was never a trace of ‘vikas’ here except for good roads across Sabarkantha. ‘’Our youth needs jobs. That is the biggest problem we are facing,” says a village elder, Hasmukh Desai.
People living across Sabarkantha used to be mostly with the BJP, but many say that will change now. “I have been a BJP supporter throughout my life, but when I see my son and his friends struggling to get a job, it pains me. I will have to think twice before I vote for the party,’’ says another villager Vinesh.
But it is not unemployment alone that is a cause of worry for people in this district. The farmers too are seething with anger because there is little water.
Still, there are many hardcore BJP loyalists. “I would say that unemployment has come down as newer projects have been lined up, including industries. Several families want to continue the tradition of farming. How can they blame the government for that?” wonders Nehal Desai.