Gharkhia System in Western Odisha

Gharkhia is a commonly accepted mediation process widely practiced in western part of rural Odisha, now seems to be vanished but its existence in some remote villages cannot be denied. Our occupation-based caste system, local labour practices and social customs are some factors responsible for mass acceptance of the gharkhia system. But common assumption among public towards work done by a gharkhia as non exploitative is the main catalyst of this illegal practice. In this article an attempt has been made to find out different nomenclatures of the gharkhia system, its characteristics and community’s response towards this practice in different parts of western Odisha through the gender lens. Since the subject is believed to be a non-studied area and very little work has been done earlier, the author mainly relies on primary sources of information. The article describes about 13 different forms of gharkhia practices, out of which Halia Pila (Boy) and Gouden Tukel (Girl) are the two most popular ones. Launching of national child labour project, stringent action against employers of child labour pronounced by the apex court and rapid industrialisation in the area are the main reasons for disappearance of this prohibited practice.