India is a country which is well known for its rich heritage, vivid cultures and traditions, diverse religions, incredible monuments and appetizing delicacies. The unceasing progress of our nation in business, agriculture, space and missile technology, IT sectors and industries are commendable. Our country is blessed with eminent leaders and personalities who have immensely contributed in the field of politics, arts, science, sports,law etc. They have also inspired many people who admired them and followed their footsteps in every walk of life. One such inspiring person who pulverized the barrier of gender inequality and strove hard for women empowerment is Phoolbasan Bai Yadav.
Early Life
Born on 5th December 1969, at Sukuldaihan, a remote village in the Rajnandgaon district of Chhatisgarh, India, in a socially background family . Due to financial crisis she had education only up to the seventh grade. At a tender age of 10, she was married to a poor cattle-herder who also had no possession or money. Years back, serious social issues of unemployment and poverty was at the peak. However it is still prevailing in some parts of rural India. The duo faced many hardships, spent several nights without a morsel, experienced much pain and stress looking after their four small children. This condition left a permanent impact on her mind and she vowed to improve not only her state of living, but also the situations of many countless families striving hard for a living. She is greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhiji and deeply followed Gandhian Ideologies. During olden days, women were considered inferior to men. They were considered weak and not allowed to study or work and follow their passion.They were not allowed to visit public places and engage in social gatherings. Women were only restricted to childbirth, caretaking and household chores only. Some ill practices such as female infanticide, dowry, child marriage, ‘Sati'(self-immolation), restriction on widow remarriage etc were predominant in the society. Moreover, upper castes were given more preferences than the backward or lower caste. Phoolbasan Bai decided to completely transmogrify the mindset of society regarding women.
Contribution of Phoolbasan Bai Yadav and her NGO towards society.
Phoolbasan Bai started participating in various programs and welfare activities in her village, organized by the government.These events were held as means for women empowerment.The village used to collect money and train all women the art of cattle rearing. This encourages women to be self-reliant ( to stand on one’s own legs) and also solves the problem of unemployment to a greater extent. In a short period of time, she realized the importance of being united in a group. She decided to step in the world of social activism. She formed her own group like Pragya Mahila Samooh, Bazaar Theka and Kiraya Bhandaar. She also established low price, ration (provision) stores for people below poverty line.
Later on, with her own effort, Phoolbasan Bai combined all her self help groups into an NGO (non-governmental organization) known as, ‘Maa Bamleshwari Janhitkari Samiti’ which was named after ‘Goddess Durga’ which initially started with just 11 women. This NGO is quite popular all over Chhattisgarh.
Currently it has total membership of over 2,00,000 women reportedly. Moreover there are 19,000 self-help groups of women and 2,325 young girls group .
The NGO collects a small amount of Rs 2 from each of its member per week ,with a total collection of Rs 200 million (approx)which is quite astonishing.The NGO also undertook various constructive works such as building schools and Aganwadi (Child Care Center) and spreading awareness about taking regular pulse-polio vaccine in the village. Another initiative known as ‘Bal Bhoj’ offers mid-day meals for 1741 schools to combat hunger and malnutrition.
This NGO also led campaign against consumption of alcohol (Sharaab Bandh), due to which 250 liquor shops were closed and nearly 600 villages have prohibited the consumption of alcohol. They also prevented 570 child marriages under district administration and also organized 33 underprivileged weddings for girls.
The NGO also pays equal attention to health and proper sanitization of village. Even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sach Bharat Abhiyan, Phoolbasan Bai’s organization made around 50 villages open defecation free and around 20,000 soakpits were constructed for rainwater harvesting.
Phoolbasan Bai and her entire team set up 30 milk cooperatives in 10 villages which produces approximately 2000-3000 liters of milk per day. She is also planning to build a mini milk products store in Rajnandgaon. Furthermore her organization is also manufacturing organic manures and fertilizers for crops. In a couple of years they have sold 500 tons of manure and income per month is Rs 10,000- Rs15,000 .
She has also inspired many tribal women to be self- sufficient and also organized a Pad Yatra of 344 km for them. In 2013, she planted 5,00,000 saplings for clean and healthy environment.
She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of many illiterate women. But her journey was not easy. She faced many obstacles in her path. Her husband used to forcefully stop her from going out of her house and returning back late night. But later he came to know about her selfless service and goodwill and began to support her.
All these services were provided to the people without any financial help from the government organizations. However some banks decided to provide some help like giving loans to help run this organization.
Phoolbasan Bai’s Achievements
Phoolbasan Bai has been honoured with many rewards for her tremendous contribution in bringing reformation in the society.
She won the Maa Bambleshari Award for her outstanding contribution in water conversation. She is currently the brand ambassador of PM’s ‘ Awas Yojna’ initiative. She also won the National Award for noteworthy perfomance from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
The Union Bank of India awarded Phoolbasan for her pivotal contribution in women empowerment. Back in 2008,she received the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for her leadership qualities and contributing for development and welfare of women and children. In 2012, she was felicitated with the highest civilian award of ‘ Padma Shree’.
Other numerous awards included, R.Jindal award, Bhagan Mahaveer award, Indian pride award,Aamodini award, Surdutta award, Stree Shakti Government of India award, lifetime achievement award and the list is endless!
Phoolbasan Bai Yadav is a pricless gem gifted by God to bring major transformations in the society.Her contribution for the progress of our nation cannot be measured with just awards and appreciation.She is not only a source of inspiration for women but also for many more generations to come. She wrote a new chapter in history by her self confidence and will power.Her polite nature, dynamic personality and sincere goals has bought her immense success in all her endeavors.
