Working in Jharkhand has always been a journey of learning. Every visit teaches something new about people, their lives, and the strength of communities. My recent visit to Hathikocha Panchayat in Dumaria block, East Singhbhum, was one such experience. It helped me understand what it really means to reach the last mile.
The journey to Hathikocha
The day started early in Jamshedpur. From there, I travelled almost 60 kilometres to reach Dumaria, a place surrounded by forests, hills, and small tribal villages. From Dumaria, I had to travel another 10 kilometres on a bike to reach Hathikocha. The road was rough and narrow, but the purpose of the visit kept me going — to meet Tribal Healer Jujhar Soren, a respected person in the area known for his traditional healing practices.
When I reached Hathikocha, I was welcomed by the calmness of the village. People were returning from the fields, and children were playing near the forest. The connection between the community and nature was visible in every part of life there.
Meeting the healer
Meeting Jujhar Soren was the most inspiring part of the visit. He is a soft-spoken man with deep knowledge of medicinal plants and traditional healing methods. For many years, he has been treating common illnesses using herbs and natural remedies. The trust people have in him shows how important traditional healers are in the community.
What impressed me most was how Jujhar connects traditional knowledge with modern health care. He does not see them as opposites. When he meets patients who need medical help, he guides them to the nearest health centre or hospital. In this way, he ensures that no one remains outside the formal health system.
He also keeps records of the plants he uses, their uses, and their cultural meanings. His documentation is like a living book that holds the wisdom of generations. It can help future communities remember their roots while learning how to adapt to change.
Learning from the journey
The return journey from Hathikocha made me think deeply. The difficult road, the long distance, and the forest paths reminded me that development starts with understanding people’s realities. It is not about sitting in offices but about walking those extra miles to listen and learn.
Reaching the last mile is not just about geography; it is about connection. When we take time to understand people’s ways of living and thinking, we build trust. And only with trust can change truly happen.
A lesson in inclusion
This visit reminded me that connecting the traditional with the modern, and the remote with the reachable, is not just a project goal — it is a way of showing care. People like Jujhar Soren are important bridges between the old and the new.
Working with such communities teaches us that inclusion means more than access to services. It means respecting knowledge, building partnerships, and making sure everyone feels seen and valued.
My visit to Hathikocha was more than a work trip. It was a reminder that true progress happens when we listen to people’s stories, understand their strengths, and walk beside them — step by step, to reach the last mile.
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