MARGAO: Lack of proper infrastructure and basic amenities has made the Salgini village in Sanguem taluka difficult to keep up with the times, leading to the slow decline of its population, states a report prepared by the students of the department of Sociology of Government College , Quepem.
A one-day overnight field trip of students of TYBA (Sociology) to the village of Salgini by students of the department of Sociology of Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem has observed the above state of affairs of Salgini – a beautiful village.
Sayali Gaunkar, Assistant Professor of Sociology said that the objective of the trip was to gain an understanding of the tribal lifestyle in the village and to examine the challenges and difficulties faced by the tribes.
22 students participated in the trip and interacted with the locals and gain insights into their way of life.
“They learnt about the main occupation here is mainly agriculture and the challenges they face due to the lack of proper roads and transportation,”, said Gaunkar.
She further informed that this picturesque village is known for its lush tomato plantations and its tranquil way of life. However, the lack of proper infrastructure and basic amenities has made it difficult for Salgini to keep up with the times, leading to the slow decline of its population.
One of the main challenges faced by the residents of Salgini is the lack road connectivity. The road leading to the village is treacherous, with sharp turns and steep inclines, making it difficult for vehicles to reach the village. As a result, only a handful of old people stay in the village, while the younger generation is forced to migrate to other villages or towns in search of better opportunities.
“Another major issue faced by the village is the lack of access to education. While there is a play school in the village, once children reach elementary school age, they are forced to migrate to other areas to continue their education. This creates a vicious cycle of migration, where the youth leave the village and do not return, leading to the slow decline of the village’s population”, she stated.
It has been also observed that in the absence of mobile connectivity and network towers further exacerbates the problem, making it difficult for villagers to stay connected with the outside world.
“There is only one bus that arrives in the village each day, and this too, is not reliable. The only source of income for most families is agriculture, but even this is plagued by problems. Bison frequently destroy crops, leading to losses for the farmers”, she added .
The villagers do not know the value of the cherry tomatoes that they grow, and this means that they are unable to get a fair price for their produce.
According to Prof Gaunkar, if the villagers can be trained to cultivate and market their produce, this could be a source of income for them.
Members of this trip are of the opinion that the government could step in to provide better road connectivity, access to education, and employment opportunities in the village. This would encourage the younger generation to stay in the village, preventing the decline of the village’s population.
