Theme of Women Empowerment in Rural India
Today, in this entry, I would like to talk about the theme of women empowerment (especially in rural areas) through the social event of cycle movement in Tamil Nadu, and the story “जहाँ पहिया है” (Jahan Pahiya Hai) by Indian author – P. Sainath.
P. Sainath is an award-winning writer, journalist, and activist, also the founder and editor of People’s Archive of Rural India. His commitment to bring rural India back to India’s national conscious is what inspires this review of his story for the theme women empowerment in rural side.
(Although we are talking about the theme women empowerment, the learning and inspiration can be applied in every individual’s life.)
In a small village in Pudukkottai city of Tamil Nadu, where the cycle movement happened, in which more than 10,000 rural women began to learn riding bicycles for mobility, independence, and freedom!
For them, cycles were a symbol of their freedom and self-belief.
Earlier, they had to face the chains of superstitious customs. They were expected to stay within the four walls of the house and not go beyond that, causing them to abandon many of their dreams, independence, and freedom.
But the social initiative – cycle movement helped combat this.
With the help of the bicycles, their mobility increased, as they could travel far distances in a short duration of time. By being able to go to nearby villages and save more time, they could sell more products and goods, thus bringing improvement in their financial stability, and also helping them to become self-reliant.
With the help of bicycles, they didn’t have to seek help from their parents or other family members to reach the bus stop. Travelling by cycle, and not crowded buses, helped give comfort and time for relaxation. They were also able to thus manage household chores and taking care of their kids. As many rural women were seen riding with their products and goods kept on the back seat, and carrying their child along with utensils filled with water in the front basket.
Through this, they showed that they are equally capable as other people, earning self-respect and dignity.
Although most rural women at the time from the villages could not afford to buy bicycles, so they would rent it daily.
They said that even though they lose money from this, they would never stop riding bicycles, as it’s their right and source for growth, self-reliance, respect, and freedom.
Even though, at first, many were against this movement, but slowly and steadily, cycle movement received societal acceptance, bringing in a good change in society and inspiring many.
With this, we learn the moral and grasp the inspiration that, as individuals, we should always stand up for our rights, aim for growth and self-reliance, and strive to bring good changes in society.
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