How a women sankirtan troupe helped Odisha village out of water crisis & govt apathy

A group of women have found a solution to the persistent water crisis on their own, with officials turning a deaf ear in Badabahal village under Naktideul block of Sambalpur district. In a notable grassroots endeavour, these women succeeded in carrying out a water project, leveraging the community spirit and determination to meet the significant needs of their village.

Perpetually frustrated by the lack of governmental progress, the women group of Badabahal within the Naktideul block took it upon themselves to channel water from a distant creek to their community. Using nothing more than their creativity, persistence, and labour, they successfully directed water from the Betarijharan Creek by creating a canal and constructing a six-foot tank to store the valuable resource.

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Traditionally, the women were engaged in organising devotional choirs (Sankirtan) for religious practices. However, recognising the dire necessity, the women channelled the same energy and teamwork towards addressing their community’s water crisis. Their innovative solution now supports approximately 100 acres of farmland, which had previously suffered under the harsh sun, leaving crops barren.

Subsequently, their efforts received a significant boost with aid from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), which supplied crucial materials including pipes. This support turned wasted water into a source of life for irrigation and daily use, illustrating a powerful example of how community-led solutions can triumph over long-standing challenges.

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The triumph of the group serves as inspiration for similar community-driven efforts state-wide, showcasing the potential of self-reliance in overcoming infrastructural deficiencies.

“We are now able to use water for our daily household requirements,” a Badabahal resident Pira Barla stated.

“Due to the availability of water, we are cultivating tomato, brinjal and several other vegetables. Many of our problems have been solved now,” another woman Ushabati Kanhar expressed.

Reported By: Ramakant Mahanand