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Hukumdin,
A success Story: For
several decades, Hukumdin had earned his living by dancing
a bear on the roads. He followed his father’s footsteps and
got into bear dancing. When he got to know about the rehabilitation
programme, he approached us with his bear, 'Ramu', and signed
the agreement with us. With our assistance, he started making
carpets at his own house. Within a few months he established
himself and now supplies carpets to small scale traders.
Today he is a happy man with a small business, entirely his
own, and a new found image in the society. |
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This study indicated that the younger generation of Qalandars was already frustrated with the dancing bear profession.
Their preferences ranged from metal-work; fabrication; driving auto-rickshaws; owning and running cold drink stalls; cycle repair/motor
mechanic; road side truckers’ stops and
the mule/goat business to carpet weaving. This was encouraging.
After surrendering his bear, the Qalandar signs an agreement
with us ensuring that he will not use any wild animals for
earning money. Till today more than 300 Qalandars have surrendered
their bears and opted for rehabilitation. The impact assessment,
which is running parallel to the rehab scheme, provides regular
updates about the rehab project. We have started an education
programme,