New Delhi- Jacinta Kerketta, a prominent journalist and poet hailing from the Oraon tribe, has garnered widespread recognition for her eloquent poems addressing the issues faced by tribals, marginalized women, and the significance of nature in the lives of these communities. Despite being honoured with the 'Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagruti Udiyaman Pratibha Samman' by the India Today Group, Kerketta has chosen to decline the award and honorarium, expressing her dismay over the media's treatment of tribal matters.

In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Kerketta expressed her deep-seated reservations about accepting the award, stating, “I am not feeling any thrill or happiness with the news of this honor. At a time when the respect for life of the tribals of Manipur is ending... My mind remains distressed. I am not taking this honour.”

Reflecting on the moment she received the news, Kerketta recounts the flurry of calls on November 20, a day when she was in transit from her village to the city. The anticipation lingered as she finally had the opportunity to address the matter on November 21. It was then that she learned about being selected for the 'Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagruti Udiyaman Pratibha Samman' for her impactful work, 'Ishwar Aur Bazaar.' The monetary value attached to the honour amounted to 50,000, and the grand ceremony was scheduled to take place at the Sahitya Aaj Tak event in Delhi on November 26.

In response to queries about her reluctance to accept awards from mainstream media, Kerketta clarified, “It is not just a matter of a large media house. Any decision I take will definitely be influenced by how the so-called mainstream media of the country plays its role towards the marginalized people.”

Kerketta criticized the mainstream media for its silence on incidents in Manipur and its failure to present the lives and issues of tribals respectfully. She highlighted that her poetry collection, 'Ishwar aur Bazaar,' focuses on grassroots struggles against organized religion and power, aiming to bring attention to the tribals' plight.

"The entire country is aware of how some of the so-called mainstream media houses and news channels were maintaining silence on the incidents in Manipur. The so-called mainstream media has often never tried to bring the lives of tribals and their issues before the country in a respectful manner. My poetry collection ‘Ishwar aur Bazaar’ contains poems against organized religion and power. These are poems about the grassroots struggle of the tribals. When we write a book, the book becomes important for the so-called mainstream society but not the people. This is not our (tribal) way of looking at things. We want to celebrate a work collectively. When people who live on earth like poetry are losing respect for their lives, their right to live is being snatched away, then what should a writer or poet do just for his/her own respect? Because of all these things I refused to accept this honour," Jacinta Kerketta told The Mooknayak.

Jacinta expressed, "I harbor no desire for numerous honours for myself; it's not my focus. However, if an honor provides an opportunity for the tribals to collectively feel proud or facilitates their engagement within the community, I would be pleased to accept it. Yet, my priority lies in witnessing the encouragement of the new youth – those engaged in commendable work and proficient writing. I believe it's more crucial to honor and uplift them. The decision of whom to accept respect from or not is guided solely by the dictates of my conscience."

Who is Jacinta Kerketta?

Jacinta Kerketta, born on August 3, 1983, in Khudaposh, a village located in the West Singhbhum district near the Jharkhand-Odisha border, is a distinguished figure belonging to the Oraon tribe. Her father, a marathon athlete, initially served as a security guard at a local church-run school before temporarily joining the police force. Kerketta's literary prowess shines through her notable work, "Ishwar Aur Bazaar," which has captivated a broad audience with its poignant and vibrant poems.

The collection delves into the challenges faced by women in tribal communities, navigating the complexities of struggles, hypocrisy, and superstitions. Kerketta's verses skillfully illuminate the tribulations of these lives, earning her a well-deserved place among the foremost literary voices of her time. "Ishwar Aur Bazaar" not only addresses the enduring oppression faced by tribals but also sheds light on issues such as violence against women and the displacement of entire communities, while simultaneously challenging the indifference of governments.

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