For The Mentally Challenged, This Village Commune Is An Oasis Of Peace

All three are mentally challenged and live on a sprawling 30-acre farm near Antroli village, a one-hour drive from Solapur. They lead a placid, pastoral life in the commune-an innovative experiment nurtured by Jivhala, which was set up by Annarao Rajmane. All the inmates participate in running the commune and undertake almost all the chores involved-right from tending to cattle to weeding, trimming and harvesting. The tougher jobs like ploughing the fields are left to the professionals on the staff of Jivhala.

"Working on the farm has had a sublime and therapeutic effect on the mentally handicapped adults here," says Rajmane who was associated with the socialist movement in the '70s. As the mentally challenged grow older, sexual frustrations creep in and cause tensions in the household, particularly if the parents are insensitive or fail to understand the situation. In such cases, they often turn unpredictable and violent. Annarao believes that it's essential to engage mentally handicapped adults in some physical activity for at least three to four hours a day. This led him to think in terms of a village commune exclusively for adults. The younger lot draw succour from his two-decade-old school (75 students) in Solapur city. Jivhala also runs a day-care centre in nearby Barshi town (50 students). Now plans are afoot to admit women inmates as well.

After a stint with Vijay Merchant's National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped (naseoh) in Mumbai, Annarao decided to set up a small school for the mentally challenged in 1980. As they grew up, it was decided that a self-sufficient farming commune was ideal for these youth. Annarao and his colleagues along with a group of parents set about raising the

Rs 7 lakh required for the property they had identified for the purpose-a 30-acre stretch of land about 25 km away from the city. A clutch of cooperative banks in the region and some rich individuals donated the amount. The state's social welfare department agreed to pick up the tab for staff salaries and the farming project took off in '90.

"I was looking for something self-sustaining and what could be better than the boys working the land for their own needs?" asks Annarao. The farmland is now lush green with teak, eucalyptus and coconut trees. A small fruit orchard is also taking shape. Wheat grown over 7 acres fetches the commune 60 quintals of grain every year. The vegetable patch yields over 10 kg and the dairy brings in 10 litres of milk everyday. Says Amar and Kirti, son and daughter-in-law of Annarao, who live on the farm: "Other than edible oil, sugar and a few sundries, everything is available here." Both of Jivhala's schools are now the pivot of families with mentally ill children and basically undertake therapy sessions. A great deal of emphasis is also laid on personal hygiene.

A goat-farming project is on the anvil so that the commune can raise enough money to run on its own and lessen its dependence on charity. The inmates do not pay anything for their upkeep though some parents do offer monetary assistance to Jivhala whenever they can. If you wish to participate in the cause, write to A.B. Rajmane, Jivhala Society for the Mentally Handicapped, Janata Shopping Centre, Navi Peth, Solapur 413 007, Maharashtra, or call 0217- 724322 (O), 311764 ( R).