There were all kinds of people over here and I have many memorable experiences which I cant forget.A school teacher who is of my age but looks so grown up and has taken the responsibility of his entire family.
People of lower caste have no food to eat, but the treatment they have got from the higher caste has united them the all the more. They have their own definition of happiness.People from higher caste with power have forgotten about their family once entered into politics.It is family which will suport when power and youth is gone...
Is it the culture of Orissa to be so fatalistic?The people know to work hard, eat and sleep.They dont have goals in life.Is this happiness?
While I take interviews, some co-operate, some don't,some even misbehave.Over the time my framing of questions has improved.I have realised their are no particular rules for work.
Only rule is to enjoy whatever you are doing. No electricity in daytime, low lights in night .I have my own doubts, but still I hope I will be able to do justice to my work. I want to hear from Preethi and Anjali. Dear all,if you read this, please respond,it really feels good
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
very nice to hear from you mousumi.
ReplyDeleteI have come to the village which is my dad's native. Staying at my uncle's place.
Mine started off quite bad. But it has been improving since day 1.
Different kind of interviews. Short but informative, long but not informative.Different kinds. This village too has a caste divide.I have observed that it is kinda strongly ingrained in them. But people of our generation arer not strong followers.
Just like Mousumi, i have also found myself improving the way i frame questions. Initially i did not get any response for a few questions.
Those i started explaining in a few sentences. I have improved in probing also, something that i was quite hesitant to do initially, mainly because i wasn't good at it then. But now, its a lot better. Also, if people dont speak out much i have also learnt to ask Qs out of the questionnaire that will make them speak up.Initially, if i didn't get detailed and elaborate responses i would just think that
the interview was bad.
But now i have learnt to look at the strength
of the views that they give, even if they speak less.
Sometimes people are excited that they start referring to other people who could be interviewed.
There is a 2 hours power cut during the day that is regular. Otherwise tehre are a lot of unsaid irregular cuts. Sometimes a full day power
shut down. No signal for my mobile inside the house. I will have to
come to thh terrace everytime i need to send my transcript or field
note or talk over phone. The weather here is good. not too humid. Even
if there is a power cut, its very much manageable. Much Much beter
than Chennai. :) :) :) :)
I havent had any troubles because its quite a known place. I have
plans of visiting two other villages. Ma'am has plans of visiting this
place in the next week.
And like Mousumi says, there are no rules.Plus, it has become more and
more enjoyable as we went on. Frankly, i felt miserable and so out of
confidence on day 1.
All the best Anjali and Mousumi. Please keep in touch.
Mousumi, I am sure you have teh strength to handle your difficulties.
Am also sure that you will discover more strength. Take care honey.
Preethi