The Hindu : New Delhi News : On a road with full of potholes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 30, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

On a road with full of potholes

By Mandira Nayar

NEW DELHI, APRIL 29 . For the 1,600 women sarpanches who gathered to celebrate political empowerment day this past week, life was a bit like a movie. Not the kind where there is love, romance and happy ending, but more like "Swaraj" the film, which was screened at the inauguration. Based on a true story of Leelavati, a panchayat member in Tamil Nadu, who lost her life trying to get water to her village, the film was a powerful reminder that while women might have the `right' to be part of a political process, but to exercise it forcefully can often be a luxury they just can't afford.

"The movie was very real. We have a major water problem; we have no tap in the village. We have to drink dirty water. It is almost like drinking sewage. We have been given the right to be members of the panchayats, but no one really listens to us. The Block Development Officer is often corrupt and does not want to do anything without money,'' revealed Asha, a sarpanch from Haryana.

Only five hours away from the Capital, for Asha being a panchayat member has not brought with it the promise of `empowerment' that it should have. With her powers limited to just paper, it is an uphill fight to get her way. Unfortunately, she is not alone in this battle.

As Tara Devi from Himachal Pradesh put it: "The reason we can't get our way is because we need to understand our weakness. Also, there is a lot of politics involved. The old sarpanches refuse to give up their powers and put pressure instead and make sure that we can't do our work properly.''

From trying to deal with power politics to fighting corruptions, these women have the added handicap of their gender, which is sometimes, the toughest hurdle they need to overcome. "They don't listen easily as I am a `bai','' one sarpanch from Maharastra put in a matter-of-fact tone.

But despite the tremendous odds against them and limited powers, it gives them the opportunity to express themselves. While there are some who remain passive and are unable to exercise the rights given to them, there are many others who manage to move beyond their `imperfect' situations to become inspirations for others like the panchayat in Meera Rao Patil's village in Latur district which is an all-woman panchayat and they have started a little revolution in their area. And luckily there are many women who are willing to carry the torch.

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