Realities and experiences from the remote areas of Satpuda.

Thanks to our friend and active worker of Yung Foundation, Mr. Sandeep Deore, I got the opportunity to understand the tribal reality and a new India in the remote Narmada river area of Dhadgaon taluka in Nandurbar district. The occasion was the residential Yuva Sanvad Shibir organized by Yung Foundation from 27 February to 03 March 2026 at Uddada, taluka Dhadgaon, district Nandurbar. For the past 3 years, Yung Foundation has been working on public education and primary education in the Satpuda Narmada area. I got the opportunity to closely understand all this work. For the past 20 years, I have been working as a college professor in Khandesh. I came to know about tribal issues and problems through books, and I have visited some tribal areas. However, traveling and reaching below Toranmal in the Satpuda and Narmada area for the Yuva Sanvad Shibir was as thrilling as it was to experience the reality of tribals in the remote area.

Sandeep Sir is doing social awareness work in remote tribal areas. The government and other NGOs and CSRs doing social work do not easily go to this area. An exception to this is Sandeep Sir's Yung Foundation, which is working with great courage. There is an unbreakable bond between tribal life and nature. Balancing this properly, 09 Nisarga Sanvad Shalas are run entirely through public participation by Yung Foundation. This is indeed special. Educated young boys and girls from the padas are taking the initiative to run the schools. Yung Foundation has identified the problems and challenges of education and is working on action programs and plans. Through public education, Sandeep Sir is striving to help tribal brethren benefit from government schemes through government and public participation. In this, he meets government officials and presents questions and problems. And telling them politely, he makes a final request: Sir, come to the Satpuda Narmada area, experience it and solve our problems. Sandeep Sir, with his inherently polite nature, expresses in beautiful words how the problems of people's living can be solved. I casually asked him where he gets so much strength from. Sandeep Sir says in very simple language: Nature gives the positive strength to live. It teaches you to talk to yourself. And energy is created, all negative thoughts are put aside and good work is done. Sandeep Sir is an incessant spring of humanity. He never disappoints anyone. This is the awareness in tribal society and the strength given by nature.

As for what I gained:

Tribal issues and problems were newly understood through the Yuva Sanvad Shibir 2026. The experience of tribal life, culture, gender equality, tribal justice system, political role, beliefs and superstitions in the remote area was important. The people of the village Uddada, taluka Dhadgaon, gave the opportunity to experience what a prosperous life with nature is like. The Satpuda and Narmada area is terrific for gaining experience and knowledge. In this nature-filled experiential journey, it was a joyful experience to converse with all the youth: Shildar, Vrushabh, Ajay, Alok, Krishna, Abhilasha, Sanket, Pramod, Magar Saheb, Dr. Alok who loves birds, Suraj, Deepak, Nikhil, Swapnil, Anup. The journey in the Narmada river also proved to be very energetic and inspiring. In this, Yung Foundation fellows Ganesh, Manish, Pravin rendered valuable help for the shibir.

Thank you, Sandeep Sir..

I will come to the Satpuda Narmada area again and again..

Yours affectionately

Dr. Rahul Aher