How an Ex IAS Officer Saved a Tribal Community From Becoming Extinct

The Sabar tribe residing in Jharkhand is one of the most primitive and endangered tribes in India. The British due to some reason had named them as one of the 68 de-notified languishing communities and also designated them as criminals. As a result, the indigenous people were abandoned and they somehow managed to survive with the meager forest resources and donations. While the tribe seemed to be on the brink of extinction, former IAS officer, Suchitra Sinha took notice and devoted her energies to helping them lead decent lives. She realized that they had excellent weaving skills and could weave brooms and baskets from kanji grass, palm, date, and bamboo plants. The tribals would sell them and earn barely Rs 2000 a month. Seeing their plight, Suchitra ensured that funds are released under the tribal schemes to enable them to earn a livelihood through food, poultry, and other means. She encouraged them to continue weaving baskets and also helped them exhibit their products at popular exhibitions as well as the International Trade Fair.  The tribal’s efforts paid off as demand for their products grew. Suchitra arranged to train the tribals and now these artisans could make over a hundred items paper holders, files, bags, and more. To give a further thrust to the artisans, she formed an NGO Ambalika in 2002 to promote their work. Thanks to her efforts, the artisans now earn around Rs 8000 every month. Their products are also available online on Amazon and the Ambalika website under the brand name Kraftribe. Suchitra Sinha, through her relentless efforts, helped to render a life of dignity for the tribals whose survival itself was in jeopardy.