— Jeevan Dhok
I have been working as a Fellow Teacher at the Asola Beda. My aim is to understand the migration patterns of these communities and learn about the locations where they stay. With this purpose, I began my journey of Beda mapping.
This journey was not easy at all. In the beginning, I faced many difficulties. Sometimes I had to travel through forests, sometimes drive through streams, and at other times travel along riverbanks. There were even occasions when I went deep into the forest along with the cattle. Farmers on the way would often warn me, saying that there were tigers in the forest and that I should be careful. Even then, I continued my journey without fear.
At times, after traveling long distances in the scorching heat, I would finally reach the children. One big challenge before me was how to teach them, because there were no schools nearby. But I did not give up. I started teaching the children under trees, in the shade of the vehicles, and sometimes near temples. Through this experience, I learned many things. I understood which regions the Bharwad community migrates to, the districts they travel through, and the places where they stay temporarily.
I also closely observed how children continue learning while migrating and how they balance education along with work during this period. By mapping all these locations, I was able to create a detailed map. This process not only gave me the experience of teaching but also offered me a new perspective on understanding life itself.
In the end, I realized one important thing —
No learning ever goes to waste. The lessons gained through experience take us far ahead in life..