Lockdown: ITI Guwahati Student Returns Home to Chhattisgarh to Assist Father in Farmwork

Jagdalpur, May 1, 2020:

Amid the nationwide lockdown which is the biggest in human history, an adivasi youth who was studying at the Mechanical branch of the ITI in Guwahati, has now returned to his agricultural roots.

Surpit Pujari, who was evicted from his hostel amid the lockdown, resolved to utilize the lockdown period and do something for the better. Pujari, who resides in a Naxal-dominated area in the region, is now aiding his father out in the fields and his return to his humble origins has now become the talk of the town.

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The youth comes from a very humble background and studied in the village school itself before making it to ITI Guwahati to study in a technical field.

Born to Charan Singh, Surpit began his studies in Ulnar. After his 5th standard, he shifted to Jagdalpur-located Navoday Vidyalaya, where he studied till his 10th. Later, he went ahead to Bangalore for further studies.

On 17 March, Surpit headed homewards after his hostel was closed down in view of the impending lockdown called to curb the COVID-19. Within three days, he reached his house. However, not be be disappointed, apart from continuing with his studies, he is also continuing work at the farm.

Pujari now says that science can help the adivasi locals turn out a better produce and adopt more advanced farming techniques. Pujari's optimism has set a positive example in the midst of the lockdown at a time a large chunk of the population is eyeing alternative vocations such as agriculture to ensure that the belly does not go hungry.

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