Bhubaneswar: As colourful swings sway under mango trees and children gather for traditional games during Raja, a small village in Keonjhar district is celebrating much more than the state’s beloved agrarian festival. In Khajuripada, Raja has become a symbol of social transformation, and a platform to promote education, and spread awareness against alcoholism and drug abuse.Home to only around 50 Santali households, the small village under Ghasipura block of Keonjhar, was grappling with the alcohol menace just a few years ago, but today, Khajuripada presents a starkly different picture.At least 35 members from these households now hold govt jobs. Working as teachers, anganwadi workers, CRPF personnel, state police constables, govt bus drivers and court clerks, they are all first-generation salaried employees.Every year during Raja, they return to their native village for a week to celebrate the festival with their families. But alongside the festivities, they carry a message. Through cultural programmes, community meetings, feasts and traditional sports competitions held during the three-day Raja Mahotsav, they highlight the importance of education, and the harmful effects of alcohol and substance abuse, encouraging everyone to stay away from such habits.They have formed Khajuripada Employees Association, and have been contributing towards organising the Raja Mahotsav for over a decade. During the festival, they also spread awareness among children and youngsters about govt education schemes, scholarships and employment opportunities.While Raja celebrations began on Sunday with community gatherings, the villagers took out a cultural procession on Monday morning. Traditional games, swings, folk songs and dances drew enthusiastic participation, but the message of education and social reform remained at the heart of the festivities. Drawing, essay-writing competitions and debate were organised for children and youth, who were also guided on career choices, competitive examinations and higher education opportunities.For many of the returning professionals, the campaign is rooted in personal experience.“Raja is a homecoming for all of us who have secured jobs and are working outside our small village. This campaign during the festival has a special significance because many of us grew up witnessing the social and economic consequences of alcoholism on our families and the village. The entire community comes together to listen to us,” said Chotray Baskey, an Odisha police personnel. Baskey was among the first residents of Khajuripada to secure a govt job nearly 19 years ago.The villagers are primarily farmers and many families traditionally brew country liquor as a source of livelihood. Alcoholism had become a part of daily life for many households, often leading to financial distress, family disputes and health problems.“Several families lost their primary breadwinners to alcohol-related illnesses. That is when our generation decided to focus on education and move beyond the village for schooling and higher studies. Those who secured jobs became role models for the younger generation,” said another resident Kalakar Hansdah, a sepoy.The transformation has gradually reshaped the aspirations of the village. Today, school attendance is nearly universal, and its young people are increasingly pursuing higher education and employment opportunities.
