In the hilly terrains of Nayagarh district lies Tabeda, a small tribal village that seems untouched by time. Despite India celebrating 73 years of independence, the benefits of government schemes have failed to reach this remote settlement. Every election season, politicians visit, make promises, and then disappear, leaving the villagers with nothing but unfulfilled assurances.
For medical emergencies, the situation is dire. There is no healthcare facility in the village. Traditional healers, known as Janis and Jhankars, are the only hope for treating illnesses. Pregnant women and critically ill patients have to be carried on makeshift stretchers (dolas) for miles to reach the nearest medical center. The block office, which should be easily accessible, feels as distant as the state capital to the villagers.
Clean drinking water is another major issue. The villagers depend on a single rocky well, treating its water as sacred as the Ganges.
The question remains: When will Tabeda’s story change? When will development reach this forgotten corner of Odisha? For now, the villagers wait, caught between neglect and empty promises.
A Struggle for Basic Amenities
Tabeda, under the Daspalla block, is home to around 60 people from 13 tribal families. The village, though historically significant as an old revenue village, lacks even the most basic infrastructure. There is no proper road connecting Tabeda to the outside world. Villagers must trek 4 kilometers through dense forests and hilly paths to reach Tilabadi, the nearest village, for essentials.For medical emergencies, the situation is dire. There is no healthcare facility in the village. Traditional healers, known as Janis and Jhankars, are the only hope for treating illnesses. Pregnant women and critically ill patients have to be carried on makeshift stretchers (dolas) for miles to reach the nearest medical center. The block office, which should be easily accessible, feels as distant as the state capital to the villagers.
Education: A Distant Dream
Education remains a luxury for the children of Tabeda. While there is an Anganwadi center, it barely functions. Young children must walk 4 kilometers through dangerous forest trails to attend school in Tilabadi. The only available school is a residential tribal welfare institution, which only educates girls up to the third grade. Boys are left with no option, forcing many to remain illiterate.No Roads, No Sanitation, No Clean Water
Despite government claims of development, Tabeda has no proper roads. Villagers must travel 10 kilometers to Takara panchayat to collect their ration supplies. A signboard declaring the village as Swachh Bharat (Clean India) stands as a cruel joke—there is not a single toilet in the entire settlement.Clean drinking water is another major issue. The villagers depend on a single rocky well, treating its water as sacred as the Ganges.
Government Schemes: Only on Paper
Though the village was included in the housing scheme under the Awas Yojana, the lack of roads has made construction impossible. The elderly must walk 10 kilometers to the panchayat office to collect their pensions. The Anganwadi worker visits once a month, distributing basic supplies like rice, lentils, eggs, and flattened rice before leaving, offering no real support.A Glimpse of Hope?
The villagers continue to hope for change. They dream of a road that will connect them to the outside world, a school for their children, a health center for emergencies, and clean water for their families. But with every passing year, their faith in the system weakens.The question remains: When will Tabeda’s story change? When will development reach this forgotten corner of Odisha? For now, the villagers wait, caught between neglect and empty promises.
Ratnakar Hota
Journalist
Ratnakar Hota is a journalist as well as an enthusiastic environmentalist and wildlife conservationist. He is also an Odisha-based tribal rights activist and writer. He is spotlighted government failures in remote villages. His fieldwork drives campaigns for roads, schools, and healthcare justice in neglected communities like Tabeda.
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