Methodology: Interviews
Language: Marathi
Catalysts: Santosh Thorat
Youth Fellows:
Govind Tupe
Namrata Sawant
Rutuja Sawant
Arti Avhad
Sanjivani Thorat
Shubhagi Palve
Abhay Jain
Kalyani Jain
Ganesh Kadam
Coordinator:
Vandana Khare
About the Subject:
The wholesale market place in Navi Mumbai is full of multiple transactions in many forms at many levels. One group who plays a huge role in these transactions is the Mathadi Workers. Mathadi is derived from the Sanskrit word Matha (Head) and denotes those who carry the load on their heads. Santosh and his group decided to study these workers.
Challenges & Learnings:
This research forced these middle class youth to step out of their comfort zone, study an area of the city which is unique and find out about the workers who happen to be even graduates.
Conclusion:
The research revealed some shocking truths which shattered the very connection between graduate studies and upward mobility. This group found out that many Mathadi workers were actually well educated, a few even had Masters degrees, yet they opted to do this job due to their inability to get a gainful employment anywhere else. While they were happy with the earnings they made, anywhere from Rs. 15000 to 25000 per month, they were keen to ensure that a similar fate did not fall upon their children.
End Product:
They created a very attractive poster to illuminate their findings.
