B
Korbas are among the 72 most backward Vanvasi communities of the country that are still miles away from development. About 11,250 Korbas live in the mountains of Bagichi and the Manora division of the Jashpur Nagar district of Chhattisgarh. They live in very poor conditions in the Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh and in the Gumla and Garhva districts of Jharkhand. The Kalyan Ashram has been running several educational and health projects in the 60 villages of Jashpur Nagar for the last two years. Last year, over 1,800 children were imparted informal education in these villages. Fifty-six health camps were also organised under the leadership of Dr Pankaj Bhatia in Korba villages and now 22 village health workers are providing primary life-saving drugs to the villagers. Over 10,000 patients were treated at the camps. The Kalyan Ashram also distributed 960 blankets to the Korbas with the help of Bhansali Trust of Mumbai. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provided a little financial help during 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. But since the year 2002-2003, the Ministry stopped providing any help. Besides this, the Kalyan Ashram workers have continued the work with the help of the society. Recently a week-long training camp of the Kalyan Ashram workers was organised in which the workers resolved to intensify the developmental works among the Korbas.
(FOC)
