My Homage to Gohara Bibi- A real mother

Gohara Bibi is now a buzz name in Nutandi, Chelyama. She became a perfect mother shouldering all pains, oblique criticisms and braving for justice for the Women of the village. Gohara Bibi is a common Muslim woman. She does not possess any formal education. Her family has no enough belongings. Livelihood is met through struggle and labor. She is the mother of four daughters and one son. Unfortunately her only son is mentally deranged. She is a widow of mid fifties. Gohara is a skilled Aya in the village supporting mothers during delivery. By this she earns a paltry sum. However, in spite of poor economic condition, she bears rare human qualities. At a first glance I saw her courageous and confident.

Nutandi village came to a story when the world knew that Muslim women of this particular village never cast votes. This practice remains unchanged despite government efforts .This time a comprehensive approach was taken to raise the voice of Muslim women of this village. Reforms in rural areas are not possible with people’s participation on the one hand, on the other there is need for rural leadership. In search, Gohara Bibi came forward. She moved door to door. She campaigned for democracy and protested vehemently against the cult that denied Women’s democracy.

In an open meeting I saw her leadership and motherly attitude. She was encouraging passive, voiceless and apathetic women of the village. She protested the iron rules of men in a bold voice. I was overwhelmed by her revolutionary ideas and words. I discovered an uprising mother in Nutandi.

Her boldness turned to a history on 7th May2014. She stood as a Chinese wall in front of a booth. No power could make her bow down. She was the first iron lady who cast votes. In her advice Lutfunnessa queued in another booth. Both of them became the first Muslim women who exercised democratic choice unprecedented in the history of Nutandi since independence.

Gohara Bibi acted as a true mother. She escorted her three daughters to the polling booth. A new beginning went on in Nutandi village.

I regard Gohara Bibi- a true mother shaping a new era in Cheleyama. Twenty nine women following Gohara Bibi cast vote during the last parliamentary election.