There occurred a critical famine in India during the year 1899. The then Baroda state was no exception. The state was ruled by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad who was a reformer. At the end of August, 1899 when rain fall was scanty, he started thinking about the crisis that would be induced by drought and famine. He studied the famine rules in the latter part of August of the season. The famine rules were hidden in the records but he asked the concerned officers to place them before him. It clearly indicates his concern about his public in the state. In order to know exact situation at each location he undertook tour in each division.
He planned his tour in Kadi, Baroda city and adjoining area Amroli, Navsari and Mehasane. The idea was to study in depth the location specific problems. He realised that the same solutions at each location in the division does not solve the problem effectively. This proves that his approach was based on social make up of various communities. It is essential to study the first principle of sociology i.e. "Why do people behave as they behave.' He was aware of this mode and structure of the society. Man is endowed with imagination which helped him to generate several ideas. But is important to select a few of them and put those in practise. The Maharaja exactly followed this path in his tours of famine affected divisions.
The tour programme was commenced first in Kadi division (Mehasane) of Baroda state which was severly affected by famine and induced the crisis of water, jobs for workers as there was no work in farming activitiy. The measures implemented to overcome the difficulties of water were varying in nature. They included Tagavi for maintenance, tagavi to Fortman Kadi holders, financial help to individual workers, farmers, triables, weak persons, starving children etc.
The Maharaja visited several locations. He mixed with people, talked to them and discussed regarding the existing problems of community at large. Then the location specific appropriate and sustainable actions were taken. Orders were issued to take action and provide relief to public.
It is interesting to note and I quote his own words. "Before I conclude, I must reiterate what I have often said, that the salvation of the people lies in their own hand. Easily impressionable, easily pleased, credulous, devoid of any knowledge of their own claims, our races possess a very short memory and in practically without any record of history."
This indepth observation clerally indicated the short memory of human being. The famines occurred in the past history and people faced starvation and deaths due to unavailbility of food.
There has been occurrences of famines but people forget it as soon as rains are received and crisis is over. So it is neccessary that the human race in a particular geographic situation should remember that such drougst may occur and that planning and steps taken to overcome the worst situation must be cared by the society first.
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