ENLIGHTENING THE LOT: Sarpanch of Deekshakunta village in Warangal district Koyyada Satyamma at a meeting. — Photo: M.Murali

NEKKONDA (WARANGAL DT): Though illiterate and unaware of worldly ways, 50-year-old Koyyada Satyamma can aptly be described as a `woman of substance'.

Hailing from a backward classes community, she contested the local body election and became sarpanch of Deekshakunta village that has some 5,000 population. Unlike many other woman public representatives who remain behind their husbands, Satyamma took on herself the Herculean task of wiping out `gudumba' (illicitly distilled liquor) menace from the village.

The condition of women is very pathetic in villages of Nekkonda, Mahabubabad, Narasampet and other mandals. "Several people have died at a young age leaving behind their wives and children. Many children have been orphaned as gudumba has destroyed many lives," she rued.

Satyamma convened a meeting with members of 24 self-help groups and wanted the group leaders to join her. She also persuaded some Youth Club members. They all went to houses where the liquor was distilled and ordered for immediately closure. She promised them of getting loans from the SHGs to find alternate means of living.

Appeal to brewers

"First we made a public announcement in the village. Then we went to all the 13 houses where the liquor is brewed and sternly warned them. If they fail to comply, we raid and destroy everything there," Satyamma said.

According to her, on an average, one person is dying every month at young age. The young widows are forced to hard labour or flesh trade. Many children are orphaned. There were instances when the SHGs came together and adopted girls and got them married off decently.

The task before these hapless women is not a simple one. "When Rama joined us in our struggle against `gudumba', her husband Kumaraswamy beat her up severely. He accused her of moving other men and threatened to kill her. We all went together and warned him to stop it," Satyamma said relating her struggle.

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