An untouchable’s journey towards recognition

KARACHI: Entering the large farm covered with banana, mango and vegetable plants, you are welcomed by a 35-year-old general manager with a smile. Jumo Mal belongs to the Bheel community considered among untouchable caste owing to the centuries-old prejudices present in our society. But with determination and hard work, he has proved the social status of any community or individual can be changed.



As a child, Mal faced discrimination from Muslims and upper class Hindus, but destiny took a fortunate turn after he joined Asim Agriculture Farm in Tando Allahyar as a worker. With time and talent, he rose to the coveted position of a general manager.

Mal, a farmer’s son, was born in Muhammad Salam Dars village in District Sanghar. His father wanted him to pursue the profession of his forefathers, cultivating land in Sanghar, but Mal secured a school education while helping his family in the fields.



After attending Degree College in Khipro Tehsil he visited his uncle in Tando Allahyar for job opportunities. There he was taken to Raees Imdad Ali Nizamani, a modern landlord in Sindh, who hired him at his farm in 1998. “The farm has one of the highest yields of crops per acre in Sindh,” claims Mal.



After being employed as a labourer, Mal landed a clerical job at the farm where 107 permanent employees and 300 daily wagers work during the harvest season. Soon, he was promoted to general manger, a position Mal proudly claims is merit-based. His talent was highly appreciated and he was eventually encouraged by Nizamani to pursue higher education. As a result, he did his Master’s in sociology and has also completed the online executive MBA programme from Pakistan Institute of Management in Lahore.



While previously refusing to even share a glass of water with him, everyone now waits for Mal’s consent and seek his guidance. Whether it is an inquiry regarding the cultivation or the marketing process of the different fruits and vegetables grown at the farm, Mal is their go-to person. He also has all the figures for the per acre yield of crops, spread over 500 acres of the farm, at his fingertips.



Mal works more than 16 hours a day and looks after the overall management of the secretariat. He also takes care of most of the financial transactions, the guest house and farmhouse upkeep and arranges all gatherings at the guesthouse organised by Nizamani throughout the year.



Apart from constantly motivating his workforce, Mal advices all labourers and farmers to educate their children, irrespective of where they work. He believes education opens new avenues and has also enrolled his children in a TCF school. “Education, hard work and dedication for the profession brings tangible results in a person’s social life,” says Mal.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2016.