Turmeric Queens

My four turmeric-queens

Within three years we have enrolled about three thousand turmeric stakeholders in Paschimanchal. Of those more than seventy percent belong to weaker section. I salute to those women who took the challenge of growing turmeric in their own ways without depending upon male counters. I adore their collective action, collective decision and more over aspiration for better livelihood. I do now realize that women can do miracle at grass root level. For this there is need for women voice and women leadership. Here I shall briefly narrate stories of four turmeric-queens who sensitized me greatly.

The first one is Fulkumari Mahato of Agaya,Purulia-ii. She is courageous, self-esteemed lady with glazed eyes. Fulkumari struggled all through her life, she was married off while a student of class nine. Ignoring social customs,village dogma she sat for matriculation with her own daughter. Then she determined to pass higher secondary. She enrolled in distant education and she managed money for study by making and selling sticks. I was surprised to see her self independence and doggedness. She mobilized women to fight for banning liquar shops from her village. She was a leader for shaping the fate of many through sHGs. She took turmeric seed from us. She mobilized thirty women to grow turmeric and conserve seed for future. She is planning to develop turmeric seed village with her able leadership. I salute her.

My second queen is Batu Rajwoar of Ratanpur village ,Raghunathpur-ii,Purulia. Batu is very young girl, a thin structure with power. I recall my first meet where she was vocal and inquisitive. She leads many SHGs . One day I happened to visit her home. I was surprised that she was preparing her homestead land by spade alone. She told me “ we the women will do ourselves. We have shut up the door here for males. We took the challenge of turmeric-cultivation. My SHgs will make home-made industry one day:”-i was amazed with her strong words. Again I saw her along with team mates. They came to the city . More surprisingly i noticed they were observing one month Brata for turmeric plant. “-This is how she takes and let others take vow for ventures. Batu showed her excellence in turmeric production. In an exhibit she brought clumps of turmeric. All these inspired other fellows. I was overwhelmed when I saw their processed turmeric in agricultural fair. She was steady, unnerved while telling her doings before the media. I wish her all success. In my last visit to a workshop Batu came This time she is a newly married bride.

Next I recollect Shibani Baske of Jamboni, Kapgari, Jhargram. Shibani is an ardent followers of our turmeric journey in West Midnapore. She is the first woman who came forward to join our program. I still remember the day in our first assemblage in Kapgari. Amidst more than 120 participants she represented alone the women community. Across discussion she pointed “ My group has already identified a plot. We will sow turmeric jointly. Are we eligible to get seed”. This made a thunder strike upon our mind. We gave her seed. In next time she came with her harvest and gifted to the Minister,PUP. We witnessed her leadership at her village. She is apparently shy but hard in mind set.

The last one is Minu Bauri. A simple ,humble and strong personality of Raghunathpur,Purulia. Once upon a time she was the MLA of Para block. She became a turmeric stakeholder as we launced turmeric mission in Chelyama. She has nourished many women in economic activity. She planted turmeric by own,she processed it by own and marketed it by own. She also motivated others to follow what she did. Her presence in Sabalamela(fair) at Purulia attracted the media. Her case was published in daily news paper.

I have never seen such a honest leader. I have not seen any past MLAs taking part in agricultural field operations and making it a livelihood.

I owe my respects to Minu Bauri.