India is still recovering from the devastation caused by the second wave and experts have already warned about an inevitable third wave that may hit the country in August. Vaccination
is the key to prevent more destruction by the third wave.
However, fear of vaccines is stopping people from administering jabs. In such times of urgency Arun Sivag, a 29-year-old is helping tribal communities to fight vaccine hesitancy.
Arun Sivag is a musician and social entrepreneur. He reaches out to tribal communities in remote parts of Karnataka and provides them ration kits along with spreading awareness about the covid and covid vaccine.
Recently, Arun has distributed 350 ration kits to the members of the Jenu Kuruba tribe. The tribe lives near Nagarhole forest in Kolavige and Kappana Katte tribal villages. Most people of the tribe are also musicians and work as daily wage laborers and farmers for nearby landlords.
But, their income has been affected due to the covid pandemic. Also, the lack of information about coronavirus has added to their problems.
To help these people, Arun connects with such villages housing tribal communities and educates & helps them. Since last year, Arun has reached out to people near Mysuru and Kodagu with more than 1000 ration kits.
Arun got to know about the communities through the archival work carried out by his organization, GlobalKulture. GlobalKulture is an artists’ collective and youth group. It works for the upliftment of folk and tribal artists by curating unique projects for them.
“It is through this database that we could identify the tribal villages and distribute ration kits. We were even told that since May, they have stopped receiving ration from the government,” said Arun.
“We plan to carry out more such initiatives,” he added.
Arun also told that most of the ration distribution drives were self-funded with help from family and friends. The group also partnered with organizations like SCEAD Foundation and Ragarashmi Foundation.
These tribal communities, according to Arun, are torch-bearers of rich culture, but the pandemic has harmed their livelihood, as well as their art and music.
“It is bad as it is, but musicians had it worse. They do not get recognition and support even from the government. In fact, some senior members shared how the youngsters had no interest in pursuing their music or culture because there is neither demand nor support.”
Vaccine hesitancy
Arun says that these tribal communities are still hesitant about vaccines and know very little about the outer world. “The first day we visited one of these villages, many people started running away because we were wearing masks and gloves. They thought we were there to vaccinate them.”
“It is only after seeing the ration kits they got comfortable with us,” explains Arun.
Arun also speaks to them about how vaccines are safe and crucial. He also informs them about the importance of wearing masks. gloves and maintaining social distancing.