She rightly feels that women and men have to collectively fight for the irregularities that have become part of our system, more so because of public inaction--"We do not get our rights on a platter-- we have to fight for them. I always help other women to get their rightful due."
Women's education, marriage and family planning
Preeti believes that it is very important for women to be educated. She has helped many women to at least be able to write their names--by using charcoal pieces while working in the kitchen, when nothing else is available.
"Girls should not be married at a young age. I bore the brunt of early marriage but will not let my daughters be married off quickly. My elder daughter is doing her graduation, and the younger one is in class 12. I will not marry them till they finish their education."
"I also believe that we should limit our family. I have borne 3 children, as I was ignorant about family planning methods. But one should not have more than 2 children. A small family is indeed a happy family."
Never say die
There is a sea change in the firebrand Preeti of today as compared to the meek and submissive Preeti of yesteryear. Financially she is better off and her living standards have improved. She has also bought some land to build another house by taking loan from the bank. All this has bolstered her self-confidence. She proudly claims that she is now fully capable of running and managing her family even in the absence of her husband. Preeti concedes that although he does not help her with farming, he does acknowledge his wife's capabilities. "He has given me a free hand and I manage everything single handedly--right from doing household chores, to working in the fields, to looking after my children's education, to helping and galvanizing other village women."
Preeti has conquered many male dominated bastions and treaded upon paths, which others would normally fear to step upon. She is at the forefront of spearheading demonstrations to fight for not only the rights of women farmers but of all the villagers--forcing authorities to get the drains cleaned, voters' list corrected, water-logging removed; ration cards anomalies rectified; freeing land from encroachers--the list can go on and on. No wonder that even people of her native town of Gorakhpur marvel at her achievements and look upon her with reverence.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
