By Jivach Yadav, Lahan, March 9: The Dum community never imagined of having their own concrete homes but now they are beyond happy as 24 houses of Lahan-23, Gadha is being constructed under the People's Housing Program of the provincial government.

According to Madhu Marik, a septuagenarian who has been living on Ailani land (a kind of public land) near pond premises for seven generations, now it is felt that the government is showing interest in the issues of the backward destitute and Dalit communities of the country.

He expressed his grief and sorrow of having to suffer from discrimination and untouchability, having to eat the left out of others, having to wear the clothes of the dead people. He added that his generation could not attain education because of the prevalent discrimination even in the classroom.

"Now, my grandchildren are freely going to school and are studying happily as the government brought a law to remove untouchability. People of another caste now come to our doorstep." He said.

"There is a home but without a toilet facility because of which we are compelled to do open commode." said Marik, adding that through the initiation of Ashok Kumar Yadav, State Assembly Member, local social worker Asheshwar Yadav, and Lahan Municipality the concrete houses are being constructed.

"We repeatedly visited the ward office for the child nutrition allowance but to no avail, as children other than from Dum community received the allowances," said Punam Marik "We demand some initiative for this." She said.

 Latu Marik, who is making a living out of making items from bamboo such as Nanglo (flat round oval tray), Dala and Bena said that the plastic materials have taken the market of the bamboo-made objects. As a result, it is difficult to sell items or to sell them for profit, this, in turn, has got my employment in trouble.

He urged the state and local governments to think about employment.

According to Ashok Kumar Yadav, a member of the provincial assembly said that as per the commitment made during the election to uplift the living standard of Dum community, a total of 72 lakh rupees has been allocated for public housing program from which 24 households will get two-storey buildings.

He assured to provide other services in coordination with Lahan Municipality for toilets, drinking water, and other facilities.

Ram Chandra Marik, president of the Dum Welfare Association Siraha, admitted that the daily routine has changed a lot as the level of education and awareness in the Dum community has been increasing.

He informed that the campaign to stop child marriage in the district has gained momentum after holding an ethnic meeting.

"We have worked hard to stop child marriage in the community where people marry at the very young age of 4-5 years, said Binod Bisunke, a dalit campaigner.

He expressed the view that every party should be broad to increase the social, economic, and political access of the Dum community.