A Story of Self-decisive Woman

Mrs. Murti Devi lives at Sugapatti.  She is 25. She is educated up to 5th standard. She can read but she cannot write. She lives in a joint family.

She is secretary of group no 111.  Though sober in nature, she has got indomitable will.  Formation of group-111 is the result of her effort.  It is the accident of her husband which compelled Mrs. Murti Devi to cross the barrier of her family.  Her husband was working in Punjab as a laborer.  He had come to his village. While driving the bike, he felt on cactus.  Throne of cactus pierced his both eyes.  Now only upper portions of both eyes work. He is half-blind. This sudden accident spread darkness in the life of Mars Murti Devi and her family.  She had no idea what to do for herself and her family.

For this it was needed to be active outside the family life.  No family member was ready for this but her husband and her mother-in-law encouraged her to carry on her plan.  She came in contact of Mrs. Hira Devi of GPSVS.  Mrs. Hira Devi advised her to form Mahila Mandal.

Mrs. Murti Devi started to mobilize women. she made door to door contact to women and convinced them about the importance of Mahila Mandal for women.  In beginning, only five members got ready.  Two of them suddenly withdrew from the group.

Members of the family of Mrs. Murti Devi did not like it and left no opportunity to pass comment against Mrs. Murti Devi.  She was sarcastically called ‘Neta’ (leader) Ignoring all these comments and remarks she unfailingly continued her effort for group formation.  Finally, in 2001 Mahila Mandal took its formal shape.  Now this group has 20 members which comprises different castes (OBC,SC and general).

This was the first victory of Mrs. Murti Devi.  However, the question of source of livelihood was still present.  It is the meeting of Mahila Mandal that she got the idea of taking dealership of ‘Kerosene’.  She consulted her husband; her husband got ready and took dealership kerosene.  Now her husband successfully runs this business.   This was the victory for Mrs. Murti Devi.  In the same family, her position was elevated.  Now she is all-in-all in her family. In her interview, she told “Mahila Mandal infused her with self confidence.  I have great support from Mahila Mandal. Now we women are able to meet any situation.  We are organized and feel great strength by being the part of organized body.  We are not only aware about our need of saving but also about need of better health for our children and us’.