Life in the remote villages of Ghatol block in Banswara district of Rajasthan has never been easy. Water scarcity, lack of employment, inadequate education, and the burden of old social traditions have persisted for generations in these villages nestled in the hilly areas. But amid these challenges, some women have emerged who have not only transformed their own lives but have also become a source of inspiration for the entire community. These are the stories of women who, without formal education and despite lack of resources, ignited the spark of change in their villages.
Indra Devi’s story is one of water and dignity. Forty-five-year-old Indra is now a well-known name in Goj Rathore village, but her journey began from a very ordinary start. Indra Devi is a farmer, and farming in a hilly area like Ghatol was no less than a struggle. Farmers yearning for every drop of water, dry land, and low yields despite hard work this was the reality around her. But when she joined Vaagdhara’s Gram Swaraj group and learned about government schemes, and heard about the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana for the first time, she saw the possibility of change.
This scheme was not just a paper promise, it provided drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to marginal farmers, which conserved water and increased crop productivity. When a government official called Indra for the first time, she was skeptical. She couldn’t believe that the government was talking to her. But a field worker from Vaagdhara recognized her potential and encouraged her. With the help of the Gram Sevak, she started the work. First ten families, then 20, 50, hundred and to date, she has helped more than 250 families benefit from this scheme.
Indra’s role was not limited to just filling forms. She herself goes to the government office located at Roopji ka Kheda to bring application forms, returns to the village to explain to people how to fill the forms, gets Aadhaar cards linked to mobile phones, gets OTP verification done, and coordinates with banks. Many times she even pays for petrol from her own pocket so that she can take people to the office. Each farmer receives a set of 700 feet of drip pipes and 40 sprinkler heads, and Indra organizes training sessions outside her home where people are taught how to install the system and maintain it.
Despite not being a technical expert, Indra herself provides guidance in minor problems, which has increased people’s trust. Today, people in the village respectfully call her ‘Didi’. But her contribution extended beyond irrigation. She connected villagers to vermi-compost and better seeds through Vaagdhara. The biggest achievement came when she organized women and demanded water infrastructure. Through collective efforts, hand pumps were installed in 2019, freeing the women of Goj Rathore from having to walk a kilometer every day to fetch water.
This journey was not easy. In the beginning, people gossiped. Her husband also objected to her going out and removing the veil. But gradually, when results started showing, the opposition decreased. Today, her husband proudly supports her. At Vaagdhara’s 2025 Delhi Swaraj Samvad, Indra spoke on the microphone for the first time and sang in front of a crowd. This experience was a symbol of self-respect and recognition for her.
Meera Devi’s story is one of determination. Meera, a resident of Jajor Kanta village, has been farming for the past three decades. Born into poverty, Meera lost her mother in childhood, so she never got the opportunity to go to school. She started farming at a very young age and remained connected to her village throughout her life. Now in her mid-50s, Meera lives with two grandchildren. Her son died years ago due to alcohol addiction. After her son’s death, her daughter-in-law returned to her maternal home and has had no contact with the family since. This made it difficult for Meera to avail government schemes, as many schemes require the consent or thumbprint of the children’s mother.
Understanding government procedures is not easy for anyone, especially for someone who never learned to read or write. But Meera did not give up. She slowly learned how to obtain necessary documents like Aadhaar card and ration card, how to bring forms from the tehsil office, and how to get signatures from the local sarpanch. The knowledge she acquired through struggle, she now shares with other people in her village. She goes door-to-door explaining to families about necessary documents and procedures in simple language. Although she could not help her grandson avail the Palanhar scheme due to her daughter-in-law’s absence, she continues to make efforts for other children.
Recently, she helped a family whose children had lost their father to suicide. With Meera’s guidance, that family received the benefits of the Palanhar scheme and the children started receiving regular assistance. Through word of mouth and community participation, Meera has become a strong link of the Palanhar scheme in her village. Her vocal leadership ensures that the vulnerable and needy children of the village are not forgotten. This work, inspired by her life experience and compassion, is helping government assistance reach those children who need it most.
Taku Devi’s story is one of seeds and tradition. Fifty-five-year-old Taku lives with her husband Lalu Ram and son Sunil. Like many women in this region, her life was earlier limited to household responsibilities and subsistence farming. But today she is known as a custodian of indigenous seeds and a strong voice for traditional agriculture. Taku’s journey began in 2019 when she joined Vaagdhara’s Saksham group. Through regular meetings and discussions, she understood the importance of traditional farming, indigenous seeds, and biodiversity conservation. These learnings touched her heart as it gave her a sense of connection with her ancestors’ farming traditions and knowledge. Over time, she also became an active member of the Farmer and Tribal Swaraj Organization.
Source: Global Research
