Daya Bai, originally Mercy Mathew, is an unsung hero, who lived five decades among the tribals of Central India imparting education, seeking justice and equality. At the age of 86, she is one among few who gave up their name, culture, and comforts for the unprivileged and marginalised.
Our Delhi Bureau caught up with Daya Bai while she was visiting Delhi and asked her a few questions.

BK - Daya Bai, it is a privilege to meet and talk to you. Will you tell our readers what prompted you to give up a comfortable life at the age of 16 and to plunge into the tribal communities in Central India?

DB – As a child, I heard stories from my father. Two of them inspired me to give up my present life and work for the poor and downtrodden. One was Mahatma Gandhi. My father said, “one day Gandhi decided to throw away his formal dress, put on a lungi and wrapped himself in a shawl and left for the villages. I decided to do the same. The other is Rani Laxmibai, rode a horse, tied her child to her back and with a sword in her hand, challenged the British soldiers in order to fight them off the Indian soil. I got the courage from the story, innocently demanded a horse from my father who said when you are as brave and capable as Laxmibai, you will get a horse. That did not happen but the spirit of Laxmibai drove me through difficult situations in my journey.

BK – What are the challenges you faced in facilitating justice for tribals?

DB – There were many. To start with, I received several threats from the vested interests. A few court cases were also filed against me. The issue I took up that incurred the wrath of those exploiting innocent tribals was the land grabbing through deception and manipulation.
In India, there are laws that prevent non-tribals from taking away land from tribals even by purchase. So, the non-tribals bought the tribal lands in fictitious names and then later occupied them. The innocent tribals did not know any law. I studied law and helped them gain legal literacy. I also learnt traditional medicines and attended to the sick. Tribals were more comfortable with traditional medicines. My actions on health and education raised hackles of many. I noticed a sinister strategy of keeping the tribals unlettered and uninformed so that the dominant groups can exploit them.

BK- Tell us some of your good memories?

DB – Tribals in Chhindwara were friendly. They could predict the weather, had connection with Moon, full Moon etc. During Rakhi ceremony, the women tide Rakhi each other. Their lives moved around agriculture. In fact, this was their whole culture. Agriculture involved animals, fodder, fuel, furniture.
They had village courts. This played an important part in governing their lives. There was a saying that if you went to this court, you only gave not get anything. But sadly, good things are disappearing as the young tribals want to mainstream by giving up their traditional culture and practice that is rooted in nature.
In Chhindwara, the majority tribals is Gond. They were a warrior tribe. In fact, at some point in history, they were rulers, unlike the tribals of East and North-East India. In the area I lived, there is a palace previously owned by a Gond dynasty. Despite some so-called royal heritage, tribals in the same area, remain marginalised and deprived.

BK – What is your message for young social workers who wish to make a difference?

DB – My advice is that one should be driven by a spirit of compassion, courage, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to equality and justice. Without such spirit, it is difficult to be a social worker. Community service is not a career, it is a choice, it is a mission. Faith in God of whatever religion is also important because solutions to the problems are beyond human existing capacities.

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