Women in Rajasthan find water, and with it freedom

June 18, The Hindustan Times 2001

Some 3,500 women from 11 districts in Rajasthan converged in Alwar District for 3 days, to celebrate their newly-found strength, which has its source, the rarest things found in the state - Water.

The Beekampura meet was a manifestation of a silent revolution going on in the villages of 11 districts for the past 4 years. Sitting in group, applying Henna on each others hands, singing and creating songs on the spot about issues like harvesting water, education, need to save money and most importantly women's unity.

Since the last four years, women of 800 villages have formed a Smuh under an NGO, TBS's guidance, to have a say in the gram sabha's decision regarding construction of Johad and getting their husbands rid of alcohalism. The women are saving money and multiplying it by lending it out on interest. Kajori's Smuh has also contributed financially to the construction of four johads.

Founder of the Sangh, Rajendra Singh said the groups had discussions on topics like how do you view your village 10 years from now etc. There was no time bound agenda, it was up to the women to give the meeting a direction, and they took the meet to its conclusion by reiterating their determination in continuing with the samuh.