Tribals? tales of woes have inspired budding authors.

Jamshedpur, March 31: Exploitation is providing inspiration to budding writers.

The pain of displacement, torture, private industrial houses, middlemen, coupled with rampant deforestation and mining in the name of development, has left an everlasting impression on the tribal community in Jharkhand.

This is evident from 90 short stories that have been sent by budding writers from across the state for a competition.

Organised by the state art and culture department, the competition had invited stories in nine local languages, among them Santhali, Ho, Munda, Kurkh, Khorkho, Nagpuri and Panchpargania.

Co-ordinator of the competition Girdhari Ram Gonju, who is also head of the department of language in Ranchi University, said most entries they had received deal with exploitation, displacement, Naxalites, deforestation and mining. ?After going through the short stories, one can easily feel the pain which the innocent tribal community of the state has been suffering for the past four decades in the name of development,? Gonju said.

The Maoist movement, which has severely affected 18 of the state?s 22 districts, is another problem confronting the tribals. ?We have realised from the short stories that tribals, living deep inside the forest, are being victimised by both the rebels and the various government agencies. There is no one to help them,? Gonju said. The few stories that the department has shortlisted for publication in a book also revolve around displacement and deforestation.

One such story is told in Khorkho, a dialect mainly spoken in and around Dhanbad and Bokaro, by Ram Kumar.

The story revolves around one Jhunia Mai, who was displaced from her ancestral land for the construction of a steel plant. ?The old woman, after being rendered homeless, moves on from one place to another to lead her life on alms. She was also exploited by middleman in the name of fighting her cause with the government and company authorities for adequate compensation. But finally nothing happens and the woman dies,? Gonju said.

Another entry, which has nicely brought out the pain of original inhabitants, is written by Sahani Upendra Pal from Gumla. The story, written in Nagpuri, has highlighted the plight of families living in the forest areas. It goes on to narrate the rebel onslaught coupled with deforestation and intensive mining activity. ?Only a few stories that we have received are revolving around the rich tradition, dance, art and social life of tribals. The exercise has only made us realise how badly the community has suffered at the hands different agencies in the name of development,? said Gonju.