India, Jan. 10 -- In her journalism and poetry, Jacinta Kerketta blends the dispossession of her community, the Oraon adivasi tribe of Jharkhand, with the destruction of nature. Her work, known for its passionate advocacy of tribal rights, has been widely translated and taught in universities around the world. In an interview with Down To Earth's Preetha Banerjee, Kerketta reveals that, for her, the greatest achievement has been avoiding 'insanity' by forging a deep connection with nature:

Preetha Banerjee (PB): Many of your poems touch upon the impact of capitalism on adivasi communities and their natural surroundings. What personal experiences inspired you to lend your voice to this cause?

Jacinta Kerketta (JK): I was in the eighth gr...