The sailors, called 'Mallahs' in the local dialect, comprise a large community here, who in the early days were often found napping and sitting hunched over in their boats, but today they are very busy. Not only are they extremely busy at work, but they are also very happy today because of the jump in their income and earnings.
One such morning, as dawn broke and the river sparkled with sunlight, beautiful pictures of the confluence were captured on camera. Botami arrived for work and the tourists were also excited for the boat ride.
When a group of tourists set out on their 'joyride' on river boats, a first-time experience for some, the IANS team stood by them to get their views not only on the pilgrimage but also on the electoral dynamics emerging from the region .It is said that the sailors of Prayag can guess in advance what the country thinks about the elections and sometimes even 'predict' the correct outcome. The basis of their forecast is considered to be the gathering of individuals from all over the world and their extensive interactions with these sailors.
We spoke to some boatmen to find out what has changed for them over the years and also to understand how the political and electoral landscape is shaping up in the river region.
Sailor Pappu Nishad said that earlier days used to pass waiting for tourists, but today times have changed. Expressing his views in one word, he said, it is 'Dhakdhak'.“Today, we are full of work and very happy about it. Religious tourism has come as a boon for us,” he said.
Some sailors praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promised to support him for a third term.
“The scale of work over the last few years has been huge. Not only our city but the entire country is changing.It is because of Modi government, our lives have changed and are getting better every day,” he said.
According to some reports, the Mallahs of Prayagraj reflect the pulse of the country and have been accurately assessing the mood of the country for the last three decades.
Notably, Pappu Nishad is not a lone voice, rather he represents many fellow 'Mallahs' who feel indebted to the present system for the many opportunities they have received.
Unskilled and untrained for other jobs, the community feels limited due to their 'backwardness' and sees this increase in tourism as a welcome change.
Another sailor, Anil Nishad, praised the Modi government for positive changes in his life.“Since the pandemic, the Modi government has been providing free ration. We have a lot of support in the fishing business,” he told IANS.
Announcing his support to BJP, Naresh Kumar Nishad said that it will definitely cross the 400 mark on the basis of its farmer-friendly, women-friendly policies.
“Today, looting and dacoity have taken a back seat and development has been given priority over everything. The objective of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is to take everyone along.,
Sailor Rajesh Nishad is not only happy with the growth in business but is also happy with the free education of his children. He said they no longer have to pay school fees for their children nor pay for textbooks.
“Free online education for girls is working wonders,” she said.
Rajesh Prasad, another sailor, credited the current government for not only reviving spirituality among the youth but also for renovating human spiritual centers and converting them into new 'pilgrimage centres'.
He said, "Due to the good initiatives of this government, we are getting ample work, our income has increased, we and our family are happy.",
Notably, the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, in what was then Allahabad, marks the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati river, one of the most revered places for Hindus, where it is said that a mere bath All sins are washed away and one gets freedom from sins. The cycle of rebirth.
One such morning, as dawn broke and the river sparkled with sunlight, beautiful pictures of the confluence were captured on camera. Botami arrived for work and the tourists were also excited for the boat ride.
When a group of tourists set out on their 'joyride' on river boats, a first-time experience for some, the IANS team stood by them to get their views not only on the pilgrimage but also on the electoral dynamics emerging from the region .It is said that the sailors of Prayag can guess in advance what the country thinks about the elections and sometimes even 'predict' the correct outcome. The basis of their forecast is considered to be the gathering of individuals from all over the world and their extensive interactions with these sailors.
We spoke to some boatmen to find out what has changed for them over the years and also to understand how the political and electoral landscape is shaping up in the river region.
Sailor Pappu Nishad said that earlier days used to pass waiting for tourists, but today times have changed. Expressing his views in one word, he said, it is 'Dhakdhak'.“Today, we are full of work and very happy about it. Religious tourism has come as a boon for us,” he said.
Some sailors praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promised to support him for a third term.
“The scale of work over the last few years has been huge. Not only our city but the entire country is changing.It is because of Modi government, our lives have changed and are getting better every day,” he said.
According to some reports, the Mallahs of Prayagraj reflect the pulse of the country and have been accurately assessing the mood of the country for the last three decades.
Notably, Pappu Nishad is not a lone voice, rather he represents many fellow 'Mallahs' who feel indebted to the present system for the many opportunities they have received.
Unskilled and untrained for other jobs, the community feels limited due to their 'backwardness' and sees this increase in tourism as a welcome change.
Another sailor, Anil Nishad, praised the Modi government for positive changes in his life.“Since the pandemic, the Modi government has been providing free ration. We have a lot of support in the fishing business,” he told IANS.
Announcing his support to BJP, Naresh Kumar Nishad said that it will definitely cross the 400 mark on the basis of its farmer-friendly, women-friendly policies.
“Today, looting and dacoity have taken a back seat and development has been given priority over everything. The objective of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is to take everyone along.,
Sailor Rajesh Nishad is not only happy with the growth in business but is also happy with the free education of his children. He said they no longer have to pay school fees for their children nor pay for textbooks.
“Free online education for girls is working wonders,” she said.
Rajesh Prasad, another sailor, credited the current government for not only reviving spirituality among the youth but also for renovating human spiritual centers and converting them into new 'pilgrimage centres'.
He said, "Due to the good initiatives of this government, we are getting ample work, our income has increased, we and our family are happy.",
Notably, the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, in what was then Allahabad, marks the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati river, one of the most revered places for Hindus, where it is said that a mere bath All sins are washed away and one gets freedom from sins. The cycle of rebirth.
