# No Place for Us?

## Overview
This chapter explores the life of Jatrya and his family who were forced to migrate from their village, Khedi, due to the construction of a dam. It highlights the challenges faced by displaced communities — including the loss of culture, struggle for livelihood, and marginalisation in cities. Through Jatrya’s memories, hopes, and hardships, students understand the impact of development projects on common people.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Life in Khedi Village
- Khedi was a peaceful village in the forest, full of natural sounds and a strong sense of community.
- People practiced farming, collected forest produce, and shared responsibilities like weddings and resolving disputes.
- Children learned from elders—making bamboo crafts, playing traditional instruments, and recognising birds.
- The forest and river sustained their lives culturally and economically.

### 2. The Threat of a Dam
- The government announced the construction of a dam, which would submerge Khedi and nearby villages.
- Officials promised new land and facilities across the river, including schools, hospitals, electricity, and transport.
- Many elders opposed the move due to their ancestral connection to the land.
- Young Jatrya was torn between excitement about modern amenities and fear of losing his home.

### 3. Life in Sinduri – The New Village
- Jatrya's family moved to Sinduri, a scattered settlement far from their old village.
- Living conditions were poor: tin-sheet homes, rocky infertile land, limited electricity, and a lack of water.
- Medical help was hard to access, and local herbs were no longer available.
- The locals treated Khedi villagers as outsiders and mocked their language and customs.
- Jatrya felt disillusioned — the dreams of a better life were not fulfilled.

### 4. Migration to Mumbai
- Years later, Jatrya moved to Mumbai for a fresh start, selling his land and animals.
- In the city, life remained difficult. Sidya, his young son, had to work early mornings before attending school.
- Despite hard conditions, Jatrya dreamed of educating his children and giving them a better life.
- He feared another displacement and wondered if there was a place for his family anywhere.

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## New Terms and Their Meanings

| Term | Meaning |
|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Displacement | Forced movement of people from their homes due to development or conflict |
| Forest produce | Natural materials like fruits, roots, wood collected from the forest |
| Development | Progress in building structures like dams, cities, etc. |
| Unwanted guests | A term used to describe people not accepted by locals |
| Tin shed | A small house made of metal sheets, usually hot and uncomfortable |
| Fodder | Food for animals like dry grass |
| Kerosene | A type of fuel used for lighting or cooking |
| Onomatopoeia | A word that sounds like the thing it describes (e.g., moo, buzz) |
| Community | A group of people living together and helping one another |
| Marginalisation | When people are pushed to the edge of society and ignored or mistreated |

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## Practice Questions

### 🟢 Easy (3 Questions)

1. **Where did Jatrya and his family live before moving to the city?**
**Answer:** They lived in a forest village called Khedi.

2. **Why did the people of Khedi have to leave their village?**
**Answer:** A dam was being built that would drown their village under water.

3. **What kind of work did Sidya do in Mumbai?**
**Answer:** He worked in a fish factory, cleaned and sorted fish early in the morning.

### 🟡 Medium (2 Questions)

4. **How was Khedi different from Sinduri in terms of lifestyle and community?**
**Answer:** In Khedi, people lived like a big family, shared work, and used forest resources. In Sinduri, people were scattered, had to buy everything, and didn’t support each other.

5. **What challenges did children from Khedi face in the new school in Sinduri?**
**Answer:** They faced language issues, unwelcoming teachers, and were mocked by locals.

### 🔴 Difficult (3 Questions)

6. **Why did Jatrya feel sad even in the city where modern facilities were available?**
**Answer:** He missed the peace, community, and natural life of Khedi. Life in the city was hard, costly, and insecure.

7. **Describe the emotional impact of displacement on Jatrya's parents.**
**Answer:** They were deeply saddened by leaving Khedi and died before reaching Sinduri, showing how emotional attachment to land can affect health and well-being.

8. **Why was the promise of a ‘dream village’ not fulfilled in Sinduri?**
**Answer:** The land was rocky, basic needs were expensive, and the community was divided. There was no unity or support like in Khedi.

### ⚫ Very Difficult (2 Questions)

9. **Critically examine how development projects like dams can lead to loss for certain communities.**
**Answer:** While such projects promise progress, they displace people, destroy cultures, and disrupt lives without fulfilling promises of better living, as seen with Jatrya’s experience.

10. **Why does Jatrya question if there's a place for his family anywhere?**
**Answer:** After being displaced multiple times — from Khedi to Sinduri and then to Mumbai — without finding stability or acceptance, he wonders if there’s truly any secure place left for them.

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